一位 30 歲女性詢問懷孕期間補充葉酸的問題。護理師的最佳回應為何？
A 30-year-old female client asks about folic acid supplementation during pregnancy. What is the nurse's best response?
- AIt should be discontinued after the first month of pregnancy懷孕第一個月後應停止服用
- BIt helps prevent neural tube defects✓ 正解有助於預防神經管缺陷
- CFolic acid is only needed during the third trimester葉酸僅在懷孕第三個三月期需要
- DYou only need to take it if you have a family history of defects只有當你有缺陷家族史时才需要服用
葉酸（Folic Acid）屬於水溶性維生素 B9，對於細胞分裂與 DNA 合成至關重要。懷孕早期（特別是受孕前後至第一孕期）是胎兒神經管閉合的關鍵時期，充足的葉酸能顯著降低胎兒罹患神經管缺陷（Neural Tube Defects, NTDs，如脊柱裂）的風險。教育重點應在於備孕期即開始補充，而非僅針對高風險族群。
Folic acid is essential during the periconceptional period and first trimester to support fetal DNA synthesis and cell division. Adequate supplementation significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Therefore, the nurse should educate the client that folic acid is recommended for all pregnant women, not just those with a family history of defects.
美國婦產科醫學會（ACOG）建議所有育齡婦女每日攝取 400-800 mcg 葉酸。台灣臨床亦同，但在美國，許多強化食品（如穀物）已強制添加葉酸，台灣則較少此類強制政策，故衛教重點常強調「補充劑」的使用。