Which vitamin deficiency can contribute to congenital heart defects during pregnancy?

Folic acid deficiency is particularly important in the context of congenital heart defects during pregnancy because folic acid plays a critical role in DNA synthesis, cell division, and proper development of the fetal neural tube and heart. Adequate levels of folic acid before and during early pregnancy are essential for normal embryonic development, including the cardiovascular system.

Research has shown that women who are deficient in folic acid during early pregnancy have a higher risk of having babies with congenital heart defects. This is partly because folic acid is crucial for the proper formation of the heart and major blood vessels in the developing fetus. The importance of folic acid becomes evident in its role in reducing the incidence of neural tube defects, which often correlates with other structural congenital anomalies, including those affecting the heart.

While deficiencies in other vitamins like Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A can have their own health implications during pregnancy, they are not as directly linked to the development of congenital heart defects as folic acid deficiency. Thus, folic acid stands out as a key nutrient whose adequate intake can help mitigate the risk of congenital heart conditions in newborns.