The methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) enzyme restores methionine synthase (MTR) enzyme activity and therefore plays an essential role in homocysteine remethylation. In some studies, the 66A>G polymorphism in the
MTRR gene was associated with increased neural tube defect (NTD) risk. Using a case-control design, we studied the association between the
MTRR 66A>G polymorphism and spina bifida risk in 121 mothers, 109 spina bifida patients, 292 control women, and 234 pediatric controls. Possible interactions between the
MTRR 66A>G variant and the
MTR 2756A>G polymorphism, the
MTHFR 677C>T variant, plasma vitamin B12, and plasma methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels were examined in the 121 mothers and 292 control women. Meta-analyses were conducted to set the results of the case-control study in the context of eligible literature on the relation between the
MTRR 66A>G variant and NTD risk. Finally, a transmission disequilibrium test was performed for 82 complete mother–father–child triads to test for preferential transmission of the
MTRR risk allele. In our case-control study, the
MTRR 66A>G polymorphism had no influence on spina bifida risk in children [odds ratio (OR) 0.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4–1.1]. The
MTRR 66GG genotype increased maternal spina bifida risk by 2.1-fold (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3–3.3). This risk became more pronounced in combination with the
MTHFR 677TT genotype (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.3–12.5). Moreover, we demonstrate a possible interaction between the
MTRR 66GG genotype and high plasma MMA levels (OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.2–13.5). The meta-analyses demonstrated that the maternal
MTRR 66GG genotype was associated with an overall 55% (95% CI 1.04–2.30) increase in NTD risk and that the
MTRR 66GG genotype did not increase NTD risk in children (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.46–2.01). These data show that the
MTRR 66GG genotype is a maternal risk factor for spina bifida especially when intracellular vitamin B12 status is low.