Adequate folate intake in the pre-conceptional period helps to prevent which of the following?

Correct option is C

Sol. Adequate folate (Folic Acid) intake before and during early pregnancy is essential for preventing Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) like spina bifida and anencephaly. Folate is crucial for DNA synthesis, cell division, and fetal nervous system development. Health experts recommend 400-600 mcg of folic acid daily for women planning pregnancy.
Explanation of Each Option:
· Cretinism: Incorrect; caused by iodine deficiency, leading to congenital hypothyroidism.
· Gestational diabetes: Incorrect; related to insulin resistance during pregnancy, not folate deficiency.
· Neural tube defects: Correct answer; folate deficiency increases the risk of birth defects in the brain and spine.
· Mental retardation: Incorrect; various genetic and environmental factors contribute to intellectual disability, but folate is primarily linked to preventing NTDs.