Question

Gina is pregnant. Gina's physician prescribed a prenatal vitamin for her to take daily. Gina thought she could have a very healthy baby by taking extra vitamins, so she took several other dietary supplements, including those that contained vitamin A and vitamin C. As a result, her total intakes of vitamin C and vitamin A were 20 times the RDA amounts. Based on this information, Gina has a high risk of

1. giving birth to a baby with spina bifida.
2. giving birth to a baby with birth defects.
3. developing gestational diabetes.
4. developing vitamin C-resistant scurvy.

Answer 1

Gina is at high risk of giving birth to a baby with birth defects due to excessive intake of vitamins A and C, well above the recommended amounts, potentially leading to developmental malformations in the fetus.

Step-by-step explanation:

Gina has a high risk of giving birth to a baby with birth defects due to her excessive intake of vitamins A and C, which were 20 times the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) amount. Birth defects can be a serious consequence when exceeding the necessary vitamin intake, especially during pregnancies. While some nutrients like folate are crucial for preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida, an overload of certain vitamins, including vitamin A, has been linked to an increased risk of developmental malformations. For vitamin C, the risk is not directly related to birth defects, but too much of it or too little can be harmful to both the mother and the fetus.

It is vital to adhere to recommended dosages of vitamin supplements during pregnancy and to consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to dietary supplement intake. The role of prenatal care is to monitor both the mother's and the fetus's health, ensuring that nutrient levels are kept within safe limits to avoid complications.