摘要Background Maternal exposure to nitrate, nitrite, and N-nitroso compounds from drinking water or diet has been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in some studies. Pickled vegetables contain relatively large amounts of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds. We examined the association between maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables and NTDs in Shanxi Province of northern China.Methods Data were derived from a population based case-control study of major external birth defects in four counties of Shanxi Province. Participants included 519 NTDs cases identified between 2003 and 2007 and 694 healthy controls.Exposure information was collected within 1 week after delivery. Multivariable non-conditioanal Logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) controlling for potentialconfounding variables.Results The risk of NTDs was positively associated with the frequency of the consumptionof pickled vegetables by the mother. Compared with pickled vegetables consumption at ＜1 meal/week, the adjusted Off for consumption at 1-3, 4-6,and ＞6 meals/week were 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 1.8), 1.9 (1.1, 3.2), and 3.6 (1.9, 6.9), respectively. A protective effect was found for maternal meat consumption at ≥1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95% Cl: 0.4, 0.7) and egg or milk consumption at ≥1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95% Cl: 0.4, 0.8).Conclusion Maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables may increase the risk for NTDs in Shanxi Province.