Which condition is prevented by taking folic acid during pregnancy?

• A. Spontaneous abortion
• B. Postpartum hemorrhage
• C. Down syndrome
• D. Neural tube defects

Answer: (D)

Folic acid during pregnancy helps ensure proper closure of the neural tube, which forms early in gestation. The neural tube becomes the brain and spinal cord, and its closure happens within the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she’s pregnant. Adequate folate intake reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Because these defects develop very early, starting folic acid before conception and continuing through the early weeks provides the best protection. The other conditions listed aren’t prevented by folic acid: spontaneous abortion often relates to chromosomal or other factors, postpartum hemorrhage involves uterine tone and placental processes, and Down syndrome results from a chromosomal abnormality not preventable by folate.