Davis Advantage Maternal-Newborn Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

Nutrition counseling during the first prenatal visit is particularly important for a child with spina bifida due to the nutritional factors associated with neural tube defects. Spina bifida is a condition caused by the improper closure of the neural tube during early fetal development, which can lead to significant complications and disabilities.

This condition is often associated with folate deficiency during pregnancy, and adequate folate levels are crucial to preventing neural tube defects. Therefore, it is essential for expectant mothers to receive detailed counseling on proper nutrition, particularly regarding the intake of folic acid, before conception and during the early weeks of pregnancy.

In contrast, other conditions such as developmental dysplasia of the hip, achondroplastic dwarfism, and muscular dystrophy do not have the same direct associations with dietary intake or specific prenatal nutrition interventions. While general prenatal nutrition is beneficial for all pregnancies, spina bifida specifically emphasizes the need for focused nutrition counseling related to the prevention and management of this condition.