title: Maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables and risk of neural tube defects in offspring.
abstract: 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-conditional Logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) controlling for potential confounding variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The risk of NTDs was positively associated with the frequency of the consumption of pickled vegetables by the mother. Compared with pickled vegetables consumption at < 1 meal/week, the adjusted OR 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%CI: 0.4, 0.7) and egg or milk consumption at ≥ 1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.4, 0.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables may increase the risk for NTDs in Shanxi Province.
authors: Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Ministry of Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
authors: Zhi-Wen
authors: ZW
authors: Li
authors: Le
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Rong-Wei
authors: RW
authors: Ye
authors: Jian-Meng
authors: JM
authors: Liu
authors: Li-Jun
authors: LJ
authors: Pei
authors: Xiao-Ying
authors: XY
authors: Zheng
authors: Ai-Guo
authors: AG
authors: Ren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000209:etiology*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000009:adverse effects; D009603:Nitroso Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014675:Vegetables / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009573:Nitrites; D009603:Nitroso Compounds