Which statement about folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is true?

Which statement about folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is true?

• A. Prevents gestational diabetes
• B. Neural tube defects
• C. Prevents preeclampsia
• D. Prevents all congenital anomalies

Answer: (B)

Folic acid supplementation around conception mainly prevents neural tube defects. The neural tube closes very early in fetal development—often before a woman knows she’s pregnant—so having adequate folate during the periconceptional period reduces the risk of defects like spina bifida and anencephaly. That’s why the statement about folic acid preventing neural tube defects is true. Folic acid does not reliably prevent gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or all congenital anomalies, which have different causes and preventive factors. In practice, start folic acid before conception and continue through the first trimester; a common recommendation is about 400–800 mcg daily for most women, with higher-dose (around 4 mg daily) for those with a prior neural tube defect-affected pregnancy.

Folic acid supplementation around conception mainly prevents neural tube defects. The neural tube closes very early in fetal development—often before a woman knows she’s pregnant—so having adequate folate during the periconceptional period reduces the risk of defects like spina bifida and anencephaly. That’s why the statement about folic acid preventing neural tube defects is true. Folic acid does not reliably prevent gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or all congenital anomalies, which have different causes and preventive factors. In practice, start folic acid before conception and continue through the first trimester; a common recommendation is about 400–800 mcg daily for most women, with higher-dose (around 4 mg daily) for those with a prior neural tube defect-affected pregnancy.