B‑cell activating factor gene polymorphisms rs9514828 and rs1041569 increase preeclampsia risk.

AIMS: This study investigated the association between BAFF gene polymorphisms (rs1041569 and rs9514828) and preeclampsia (PE) susceptibility in an Iranian population, with a focus on disease severity and onset timing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case-control study included 560 pregnant women (280 with PE and 280 normotensive controls) from Zahedan, southeastern Iran. Genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP. Associations were assessed using logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: For rs9514828, the CT and TT genotypes were associated with increased PE risk (OR = 1.81, p = 0.011; OR = 2.13, p = 0.002). For rs1041569, the AT and TT genotypes were also associated with increased risk (OR = 1.48, p = 0.033; OR = 1.68, p = 0.037). Haplotype analysis revealed that the C-A haplotype was protective (OR = 0.69, p = 0.003), while the T-T haplotype showed similar protection (OR = 0.69, p = 0.003). All genotype distributions were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the control group. CONCLUSION: BAFF polymorphisms are significantly associated with PE susceptibility in the Iranian population and may serve as potential biomarkers for PE risk assessment.