Q.56 Given below are two statements:
Statement I: A pregnant woman has a higher requirement of folic acid.
Statement II: Folic acid regulates glucose levels in the growing fetus and maintains carbohydrate metabolism.
In the light of above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
1. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
2. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
3. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
4. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Pregnant women indeed require higher folic acid intake due to fetal growth demands, primarily to prevent neural tube defects.
Correct Answer
Option 3: Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. Folic acid needs rise from 400 mcg daily preconception to 600 mcg during pregnancy.
Statement I holds true as fetal development, placenta formation, and maternal blood volume expansion increase folate demands by 50% or more.
Statement II is false; folic acid supports DNA synthesis, cell division, and red blood cell production but does not regulate fetal glucose levels or carbohydrate metabolism—that’s insulin’s role.
Role of Folic Acid
Folic acid (vitamin B9) is vital for one-carbon metabolism, aiding nucleotide synthesis essential for rapid embryonic cell proliferation.
It prevents neural tube defects like spina bifida by ensuring proper spinal cord closure in the first 28 days post-conception.
Deficiency risks maternal anemia and low birth weight, underscoring supplementation guidelines from CDC and WHO.
Options Explained
| Option | Description | Why Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Both correct | Incorrect: Statement II wrongly attributes glucose regulation to folic acid; it focuses on DNA/RNA synthesis |
| 2 | Both incorrect | Incorrect: Statement I is accurate per global health recommendations (600 mcg/day in pregnancy) |
| 3 | I correct, II incorrect | Correct: Matches evidence—higher needs yes, but no role in fetal carbs/glucose |
| 4 | I incorrect, II correct | Incorrect: Overturns verified need increase; II remains false |
This distinction clarifies folic acid’s preventive role in congenital anomalies, not metabolic regulation of carbohydrates.
