The importance of prescribing folic acid in pregnant women by primary care unit Section: Originals How to quote Bueno Montero E. La importancia de la prescripción de ácido fólico en la mujer embarazada desde atención primaria. RIdEC 2013; 6(1):7-9. AuthorsEstefanía Bueno Montero Position Diplomada Universitaria en Enfermería y Especialista Obstétrico-Ginecológica (Matrona) Contact email: buenoestefania@hotmail.es Abstract During embryonic development the neural tube closure occurs around six weeks after conception.The so-called neural tube defects (NTDs) occur as a result of changes in the closing and may take place at two levels: brain or spinal cord, causing spina bifida.Most NTDs have a multifactorial origin; it has been proven that folic acid deficiency during the periconceptional period correlates with the prevalence of these defects. Folic acid is a vitamin that humans can not synthesize, and its exogenous intake is necessary because during pregnancy maternal folate requirements increase. Keywords: folic acid; neural tube defects; pregnancy; prevention; Primary Care Versión en Español Título: La importancia de la prescripción de ácido fólico en la mujer embarazada desde atención primaria