Inadequate intake of which nutrient during the first few weeks of pregnancy is associated with spinal cord defects in the fetus? inadequate intake of which nutrient during the first few weeks of pregnancy is associated with spinal cord defects in the fetus? calcium iron protein folate

The right option is folate

Folate is a form of a water soluble vitamin B that occurs naturally in food. Folic acid is the synthetic form of this vitamin. It is important for cell growth and metabolism. Folic acid supplements are standard for pregnant women as it reduces the risk for birth defects of a baby’s spine such as spina bifida by 50% to 70%. Foods that are naturally high in folate include leafy vegetables (such as lettuce), fruits (such as lemons), beans, meat (such as liver) and orange juice. For the question given above, inadequate intake of folate during the first few weeks of pregnancy is associated with spinal cord defects in the fetus.

yes, because even though a theory has a  lot of evidence to support it, it is not always true