Folic acid prevents from number of birth defects. Deficiency of folic acid leads to neural tube defects (NTDs). These defects are related with the brain and the spinal cord of baby. Spina bifida and anencephaly are the name of the conditions in which brain and the spinal cord failed to grow healthy. NTDs develop in the early stage of the pregnancy. For about three thousand pregnancies get affected due to NTDs in US.