4.Which of the following is the most essential nutrient for a woman during her initial stages of pregnancy to prevent birth defects?(a) Thiamin(b) Folic acid(c) Vitamin C(d) Vitamin EAns:(b) Folic...
Folic acid is a B-vitamin that is essential for the proper development of the neural tube in a developing fetus. The neural tube is the embryonic structure that eventually forms the brain and spinal cord, and if it does not develop properly, it can result in birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
During the initial stages of pregnancy, it is especially important for women to consume adequate amounts of folic acid, ideally before conception and throughout the first trimester. The...