While discussing nutrition, a client mentions that her healthcare provider recommended she eat fresh fruits and green, leafy vegetables before conceiving. The provider also recommended 400 mcg of folic acid a day pre-pregnancy, with an increase to 600 mcg per day during the first trimester. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Iodine, not folic acid, improves thyroid function. The other options are all benefits of folic acid supplementation. As the blood volume doubles during pregnancy, the body's need for folic acid increases. Without supplementation, the mother may develop megaloblastic anemia, which is manifested by the formation of large, but ineffective, red blood cells. Folic acid is essential for the production, repair, and functioning of DNA. Folic acid deficiency may cause neural tube defects and other birth defects like cleft lip, cleft palate, and heart defects.

While Discussing Nutrition, a Client Mentions That Her Healthcare Provider