In prevention of neural tube defects, which statement is correct?

• A. Vitamin A throughout pregnancy
• B. Multivitamin preparations as soon as pregnancy is suspected
• C. Folic acid for all women of childbearing age
• D. Folic acid during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy

Answer: (C)

Adequate folic acid around conception prevents neural tube defects because the neural tube closes very early in pregnancy, often before a woman realizes she is pregnant. Because many pregnancies are unplanned, the most effective public health approach is to ensure folic acid intake for all women of childbearing age. This provides protection during the critical periconception period.

In practice, a daily intake of about 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) is recommended for all women of childbearing age, with a higher dose (4 mg daily) for those with a prior neural tube defect or other high-risk factors. This early and widespread folic acid exposure is why the statement about folic acid for all women of childbearing age is the best answer.

Other options fall short because high vitamin A intake can be teratogenic, starting multivitamins only after pregnancy is suspected may miss the very early window of neural tube closure, and taking folic acid only during the first and second trimesters does not cover the critical periconception period.