What deficiency is most strongly associated with spina bifida?

The deficiency most strongly associated with spina bifida is folate. Folate, or folic acid, is a B vitamin that is crucial for proper neural tube development during the early stages of pregnancy. The neural tube is the precursor to the brain and spinal cord, and adequate folate levels are essential in preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Research has established a clear link between low folate levels in pregnant women and an increased risk of spina bifida in their offspring. Because of this association, health organizations often recommend that women of childbearing age take a folic acid supplement, especially when planning to become pregnant, to help reduce the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects.

In contrast, while deficiencies in vitamins A, D, and iron have their own health implications, they are not specifically linked to the prevention of spina bifida in the same way that folate is recognized as critical for neural tube closure. Thus, ensuring adequate folate intake is a vital public health recommendation for women during and before pregnancy to mitigate the risk of spina bifida.