Which maternal vitamin is crucial in the prevention of neural tube defects?

Folic acid is crucial in the prevention of neural tube defects because it plays a significant role in the formation and closure of the neural tube during the early stages of fetal development. The neural tube develops into the brain and spinal cord, and adequate levels of folic acid prior to conception and in the early months of pregnancy are shown to reduce the risk of defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Health guidelines recommend that women of childbearing age take folic acid supplements, particularly when planning a pregnancy and during the first trimester, to promote proper neural development in the fetus.

Other vitamins mentioned, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D, while important for overall health and development, do not have the specific role that folic acid does in preventing neural tube defects.