The CT genotype and C allele of rs2276731 in ALDH1L1 significantly were associated with an increased incidence of NT</span>Ds (OR = 1.67, 95 % CI 1.129-2.491 with genotype, and OR = 1.32, 95 % CI 0.956-1.816 with allele).The polymorphic loci rs4646733, rs2305225, and rs2276731 in the ALDH1L1 gene maybe potential risk factors for NTDs in the Chinese population.