# Folic Acid - Author: **CDC** - Document Tags: [[MTHFR]] - [URL link](https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/about.html#folate-and-folic-acid)  ## Highlights - When the baby is developing early during pregnancy, folic acid helps form the neural tube. Folic acid is very important because it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby’s brain ([anencephaly](https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/anencephaly.html)) and spine ([spina bifida](https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/spinabifida)). The neural tube forms the early brain and spine. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hagq18yv49dmpfy3pykksa89)) --- - Folate is a general term to describe many different types of vitamin B9. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hagpzk3s82x3vxtshqn4ztgt)) --- - Types of folate can include • Dihydrofolate (DHF) • Tetrahydrofolate (THF) • 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (5, 10-Methylene-THF) • 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-Methyl-THF or 5-MTHF) ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hagpzwc3kenb676ejxcrbw2w)) ---