Which condition can result from a lack of folic acid during pregnancy?

Neural tube defects are serious congenital malformations that can arise from a deficiency of folic acid during pregnancy. Folic acid, a B vitamin, is crucial for the proper development of the neural tube, which later forms the brain and spinal cord of the developing fetus. When a pregnant individual does not receive adequate folic acid, the neural tube may not close properly, leading to conditions such as spina bifida or anencephaly.

These defects typically occur in the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. Therefore, it is recommended that women of childbearing age take folic acid supplements to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, in addition to consuming foods rich in this nutrient.

In contrast, while anemia, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia are also important considerations during pregnancy, they are not directly linked to a lack of folic acid. Anemia can result from various nutritional deficiencies, including iron, but not specifically from folic acid. Gestational diabetes is related to insulin resistance that develops during pregnancy, and preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and can have various contributing factors, but folic acid deficiency is not one of them. Thus, the correlation