We examined the association between the hepatic lipase (LIPC) gene promoter polymorphism (-514C/T) and risk of preeclampsia among Peruvian women. We also evaluated whether this association is modified by maternal pre-pregnancy overweight status. Using a case control study design, 157 preeclampsia cases and 180 normotensive controls were enrolled in the study. Genotyping was conducted using PCR amplification, NlaIII enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis. Logistic regression procedures were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). After adjusting for confounding by maternal age, parity and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), the relative risks of preeclampsia for women with UPC -514CT and LIPC -514TT genotypes were 1.0 (95% CI 0.5-2.2) and 1.5 (95% CI 0.7-3.3) respectively, using women with LIPC -514CC genotype as a reference. Women who were both overweight and who had the LIPC -514TT genotype had a significant 3-fold increased risk of preeclampsia (Adj. OR:3.0 95% CI 1.3-6.8) as compared to those women who were not overweight and had the LIPC -514CC/CT genotype. In this study, we found that LIPC -514TT genotype and overweight status, when occurring together, were associated with a 3-fold increase in risk of preeclampsia among Peruvian women. © 2005 Taylor & Francis.