Which statement about folic acid in pregnancy is true?

• A. Daily intake of at least 400 mcg is recommended
• B. Folic acid is not needed in pregnancy
• C. 1000 mg daily is required
• D. Folic acid only matters in the first trimester

Answer: (A)

Folate supplementation around conception and in early pregnancy is essential to prevent neural tube defects, which can develop very early in fetal life. Providing an intake of at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily gives the baseline amount needed during that critical period and helps safeguard the growing fetus, even if pregnancy isn’t planned right away. This dose supports neural tube closure, which typically occurs in the first few weeks after conception.

Higher doses are reserved for specific high-risk situations, but the standard recommendation for most women is 400 mcg daily. Folic acid is not unnecessary in pregnancy, and taking 1,000 mg daily is far above what’s needed for routine prevention. The need isn’t limited strictly to the first trimester, though the early weeks are the most crucial window for neural tube development.