Which nutrient in the mother’s diet is associated with reducing the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in new born infants?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

In considering which nutrient in the mother’s diet is linked to reducing neural tube defects (NTDs) in newborns, we need to recall the established role of folate in fetal neural development.
Option a: Calcium. While calcium is important for bone health and fetal skeletal development, there is no strong evidence linking calcium intake specifically to reducing the risk of neural tube defects.
Option b: Folate. Folate (and its synthetic form folic acid) is essential in the early stages of neural tube formation, typically before and just after conception. Adequate folate intake reduces the incidence of NTDs such as spina bifida and anencephaly by supporting DNA synthesis and cell division during rapid fetal neural tube development.
Option c: Iron. Iron is critical for oxygen transport and preventing maternal anemia, which affects overall pregnancy health, but it is not primarily associated with reducing NTD risk.
Option d: Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant with various roles, but it has not been demonstrated to lower the risk of neural tube defects in the way folate has.

Putting these together, the nutrient most consistently linked with lowering the chance of NTDs through preconception and early pregnancy folate supplementation is folate, while the other nutrients do not have this specific protective association against NTDs.

Which nutrient in the mother’s diet is associated with reducing the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in new born infants?

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