Why is folate particularly crucial during pregnancy?

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is essential during pregnancy primarily for its role in preventing neural tube defects. Neural tube defects are serious abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord that occur when the neural tube does not close completely during early fetal development, usually within the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Adequate folate intake is crucial because it contributes to DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation, processes that are essential for proper cell division and overall fetal growth.

A deficiency in folate during this critical period can significantly increase the risk of these defects, making adequate folate levels a key focus for prenatal nutrition. This is why health organizations typically recommend that women of childbearing age, especially those planning to become pregnant, take folic acid supplements and consume a folate-rich diet to ensure sufficient levels prior to conception and throughout early pregnancy.

While folate does support various aspects of maternal and fetal health, such as overall placental development and may impact factors like maternal weight gain, its most critical function during pregnancy is its preventive role regarding neural tube defects.