Correct option is C
Folic acid supplementation before conception and during early pregnancy greatly reduces the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida and anencephaly. It is recommended that women of childbearing age consume sufficient folic acid daily to prevent these birth defects. Explanation for each option: (a) Vitamin K: Incorrect. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting but has no direct role in preventing neural tube defects. (b) Vitamin D: Incorrect. Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption and bone health but does not prevent neural tube defects. (c) Folic acid: Correct. Folic acid is vital for DNA synthesis and cell growth, and its deficiency during early pregnancy is a known cause of neural tube defects. (d) Vitamin B₁₂: Incorrect. Although Vitamin B₁₂ is important for neurological function, folic acid specifically prevents neural tube defects more effectively.