The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal and infant Val158Met polymorphisms of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT), a reported indicator of preeclamptic risk, in a United States population. Healthy control, early-onset preeclamptic, and late-onset preeclamptic patients were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from mothers and infants via buccal swabs and DNA was genotyped via tetra-primer amplification PCR. Our findings indicate that the COMT genotype was not significantly associated with late-onset PE. While there were no significant differences between African American and Caucasian races, the maternal COMTMet158Met genotype was significantly associated with early-onset preeclampsia in both African Americans and Caucasians when compared to COMTVal158Val or COMTVal158Met. These results suggest that the maternal COMTMet158Met genotype may be a risk factor for early-onset PE.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

We would like to thank the following for funding and support: Nicholas J Thompson Obstetrics and Gynecology Distinguished Professor Translational Research Award (TLB), the Wright State University and Premier Health Neuroscience Institute (TLB), the Wright State University Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. Program (AEH), the Wright State University Foundation Women in Science Giving Circle (MRK), and Wright State University Foundation Endowment for Research on Pregnancy Associated Disorders (TLB, www.wright.edu/give/pregnancyassociateddisorders).

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This study was reviewed and approved by the Wright State University Institutional Review Board.

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