Folic acid required in first trimester of normal pregnancy -: (A) 100 microgram, (B) 400 microgram, (C) 4 mg, (D) 5 mg
Answer is B. Ans. is 'b' i.e., 400 microgram * Some NTDs are associated with a specific mutation in the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene, the adverse effects of which can be largely overcome by periconceptional folic acid supplementation.* More than half of NTDs could be prevented with daily intake of 400 pgm of folic acid throughout the periconceptional period.* A woman with a prior pregnancy complicated by a neural tube defect can reduce the 23% recurrence risk by more than 70% if she takes 4 mg of folic acid for the month before conception and for the first trimester of pregnancy.