A 26-year-old woman at 12 weeks of gestation attends the GP for booking. She reports taking folic acid 400 mcg daily since 4 weeks of gestation. She h...

Question

A 26-year-old woman at 12 weeks of gestation attends the GP for booking. She reports taking folic acid 400 mcg daily since 4 weeks of gestation. She has no risk factors for neural tube defects. She asks whether she should have started it earlier. Which is the most accurate statement about the recommended timing of folic acid?

Accepted Answer

Folic acid should ideally be started at least 1 month (ideally 3 months) before conception and continued until 12 weeks, but starting at 4 weeks still provides benefit during the critical period of neural tube closure (days 17-28 post-conception)

Answer

Folic acid should ideally be started from conception - starting at 4 weeks is too late to provide any benefit

Answer

Folic acid is only effective if taken from 12 weeks before conception

Answer

Folic acid is unnecessary if the diet is adequate

Answer

Folic acid should be taken throughout the entire pregnancy at 400 mcg

uk-drcog MCQ (SBA): Folic Acid Timing - Late Start