Which vitamin is crucial for fetal neural tube development?

Which vitamin is crucial for fetal neural tube development?

• A. Vitamin D
• B. Vitamin C
• C. Folic acid
• D. Vitamin B12

Answer: (C)

Folic acid is essential for fetal neural tube development because it plays a critical role in DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation, which are vital processes during the rapid cell division and growth that occurs in the early stages of pregnancy. Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, are associated with inadequate maternal folate intake during the first weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Therefore, it is recommended that women of childbearing age take folic acid supplements to ensure proper neurodevelopment of the fetus. While the other vitamins mentioned have important roles in overall health and development, they do not specifically target neural tube formation in the same way as folic acid. For instance, vitamin D is important for bone health and calcium absorption, vitamin C contributes to collagen formation and immune function, and vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell formation and neurological function. However, none of these vitamins are as crucial as folic acid in preventing neural tube defects during fetal development.

Folic acid is essential for fetal neural tube development because it plays a critical role in DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation, which are vital processes during the rapid cell division and growth that occurs in the early stages of pregnancy. Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, are associated with inadequate maternal folate intake during the first weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Therefore, it is recommended that women of childbearing age take folic acid supplements to ensure proper neurodevelopment of the fetus.

While the other vitamins mentioned have important roles in overall health and development, they do not specifically target neural tube formation in the same way as folic acid. For instance, vitamin D is important for bone health and calcium absorption, vitamin C contributes to collagen formation and immune function, and vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell formation and neurological function. However, none of these vitamins are as crucial as folic acid in preventing neural tube defects during fetal development.