What is the role of folic acid during pregnancy?

Folic acid plays a crucial role during pregnancy, primarily in the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs) in the developing fetus. Neural tube defects, including spina bifida and anencephaly, occur when the neural tube—the structure that eventually forms the brain and spinal cord—does not close completely. Adequate folic acid intake before conception and during the early stages of pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of these serious birth defects.

Folic acid is a vital B vitamin that is involved in DNA synthesis and cell division, making it essential for rapidly developing tissues such as those in a growing fetus. The recommendation is for women who are planning to become pregnant to take folic acid supplements in addition to consuming folate-rich foods to ensure sufficient levels are present during the critical periods of neural tube development, which occurs very early in pregnancy, often before a woman even realizes she is pregnant.

The other options regarding the role of folic acid during pregnancy do not accurately reflect its primary function. While folic acid may have secondary positive effects on aspects of maternal health, its key and well-established role is specifically in decreasing the incidence of neural tube defects.