**Question:** Folic acid required in first trimester of normal pregnancy -

A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin C
D. Folic Acid

**Core Concept:**
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin belonging to the B-complex group, specifically B9. It plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis, cell division, and maintenance of healthy red blood cells. In pregnancy, folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, by reducing the risk of folate deficiency. It is essential for normal fetal development and is particularly important during the first trimester when neural tube closure occurs.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
Folic acid is the correct answer because it is the vitamin required for proper development of the neural tube in the first trimester. The other options are either not related to the pregnancy or are not specific to the first trimester. Vitamin A is essential for vision and general tissue growth but is not crucial during the first trimester. Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and bone health, but its deficiency is less likely to cause severe problems during pregnancy compared to folic acid. Vitamin C is essential for immune system function and tissue repair, but it is not the vitamin directly involved in neural tube closure.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. Vitamin A: While vitamin A is crucial for vision and general tissue growth, its deficiency is less likely to cause severe problems during pregnancy compared to folic acid. Folic acid plays a vital role in neural tube closure during the first trimester, making it the correct answer.

B. Vitamin D: Similar to vitamin A, vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. However, its deficiency is less likely to cause severe problems during pregnancy compared to folic acid.

C. Vitamin C: Vitamin C is important for immune system function and tissue repair. Its deficiency is less likely to cause severe problems during pregnancy compared to folic acid, which plays a direct role in neural tube closure during the first trimester.

**Clinical Pearl:**

Folic acid supplementation, beginning at least one month prior to conception and continuing through the first trimester, is strongly recommended to prevent neural tube defects in newborns. This emphasizes the importance of early and continued supplementation to ensure proper fetal development.