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Restless legs syndrome and pregnancy
M Manconi1, V Govoni, A De Vito
1Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Neurology, Vita-Salute University, IRCCS H.S. Raffaele, Milan, Italy. manconi.mauro@hsr.it
Neurology
|September 29, 2004
Summary
Pregnancy is linked to temporary restless legs syndrome (RLS). This common condition, affecting 26% of pregnant women, typically resolves after childbirth, though it may correlate with lower hemoglobin levels.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs.
- Pregnancy is a known risk factor for RLS, but large-scale epidemiologic data are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive epidemiologic investigation of RLS prevalence and characteristics during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 642 pregnant women underwent structured clinical interviews from early pregnancy through 6 months postpartum.
- International RLS Study Group criteria were used for diagnosis.
- Hematologic parameters, including hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume, were assessed.
Main Results:
- Twenty-six percent of women experienced RLS during pregnancy, predominantly in the third trimester.
- RLS symptoms generally subsided by the time of delivery.
- Affected women showed lower hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume levels compared to unaffected women, despite similar iron and folate supplementation.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy is associated with a transient form of restless legs syndrome.
- The findings suggest a potential link between RLS during pregnancy and iron status.