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It's called pregnancy associated plasma protein and low levels of the protein are thought to be associated with chromosomal abnormalities. However, they can also be associated with placental problems and poor pregnancy outcomes.

I do really wish that docs would share the meaning with their patients to reduce unnecessary worry.

Reference Range

Down syndrome risk

<1:270

Trisomy 18 risk

<1:100

Interpretive Information
Women with a risk <1:270 (Down syndrome) or <1:100 (trisomy 18) are considered at low risk of carrying an affected fetus. Since this is a screening test, such risks cannot guarantee the birth of an unaffected baby.

Women with a risk >1:270 (Down syndrome) or >1:100 (trisomy 18) are considered at increased risk of carrying an affected fetus. Genetic counseling and possible diagnostic testing are recommended.

The problem is that you won't get your risk ratio until they've calculated all the measurements.

http://geneticsmadeeasy.com/preguntas/pregunta46.html

They usually call you if your risk pops you out of the algorithm. At least they did with me!

@photojane: They will do calculations based on your measurements and if the calculations show a risk higher (the number is actually lower, though) than a certain cut-off based on your age and a few other things then they will tell you that you have a 1:X risk and ask if you want further testing. I popped out of the algorithm at 12 weeks, but if all is well with you, they'll continue until the next set of measurements (which I know nothing about because I never got there. We had CVS at 13 weeks).

@Shimmer: It's kind of complicated to understand, but I feel like if OBs just spent 7 minutes explaining, it could allay so much fear in pregnant women. It's not THAT hard to explain.

@Shimmer: Sigh... no wonder people often have low opinions of their docs!