Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy is associated with which fetal condition?

Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy is associated with which fetal condition?

• A. Fetal neural tube defects
• B. Macrocytic anemia
• C. Down syndrome
• D. Cleft lip

Answer: (A)

Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis and rapid cell division in the developing embryo, especially as the neural tube forms early in gestation. The neural tube must close in the first weeks of pregnancy, and adequate folate supports this process. When folate intake is insufficient, the neural tube may fail to close properly, leading to neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly in the fetus. While folate deficiency can cause macrocytic anemia in the mother, the fetal condition directly linked to this deficiency is neural tube defects. Down syndrome and cleft lip have other etiologies and are not primarily caused by folate deficiency.

Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis and rapid cell division in the developing embryo, especially as the neural tube forms early in gestation. The neural tube must close in the first weeks of pregnancy, and adequate folate supports this process. When folate intake is insufficient, the neural tube may fail to close properly, leading to neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly in the fetus. While folate deficiency can cause macrocytic anemia in the mother, the fetal condition directly linked to this deficiency is neural tube defects. Down syndrome and cleft lip have other etiologies and are not primarily caused by folate deficiency.