Correlation of domestic violence during pregnancy with plasma amino-acid neurotransmitter, cortisol levels and catechol-o-methyltransferase Val(158)Met polymorphism in neonates.

INTRODUCTION: To explore the correlation between domestic violence during pregnancy and glutamate (Glu), r-aminobutyric acid (GABA), plasma cortisol levels and catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphism (rs4818) in neonates.

METHODS: Using the Abuse Assessment Survey, 64 abused pregnant women (DV) and 117 non-abused pregnant women (non-DV) were screened for two study groups. Blood in neonatal umbilical vein was collected immediately after delivery. Plasma Glu, GABA, cortisol levels and rs4818 polymorphism in the genotypes and alleles of the two neonatal groups were compared.

RESULTS: In the DV group, 49 women (76.6%) experienced emotional abuse, 29 women (45.3%) experienced sexual abuse, 28 (43.8%) women experienced emotional abuse plus sexual abuse, and two women (3.1%) experienced emotional abuse plus physical abuse. We found that plasma Glu, GABA and cortisol levels were higher in DV neonates than in non-DV neonates. Furthermore, we observed a significantly positive correlation between maternal emotional abuse, sexual abuse and plasma levels of Glu, GABA and cortisol in neonates. By genetic analysis we found a significant difference in rs4818SNP genotype and allele between the two neonatal groups. The ratios of CC genotype and C allele were higher in DV neonates than in non-DV neonates, and the ratios of GG genotype and G allele were lower in DV neonates than in non-DV neonates. One-way ANOVA test showed that GABA level was lower in CC carriers than CG carriers.

DISCUSSION: Domestic violence during pregnancy might be associated with increased plasma levels of glutamate, GABA, cortisol and COMT gene polymorphism in neonates.