Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Labor Management Through Electromyometrial Imaging for Understanding Uterine Contractions
Published on: May 26, 2023
Restless leg syndrome in pregnancy
Aarti Grover1, Courtney Clark-Bilodeau2, Carolyn M D'Ambrosio3
1Pulmonology and Critical Care, Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, MD, USA.
Restless leg syndrome, now Willis-Ekbom disease, disrupts sleep and is common in pregnancy. This case highlights treatment challenges due to limited drug safety data in pregnant populations.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Restless leg syndrome (RLS), or Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs.
- RLS significantly impacts sleep quality and is more prevalent in pregnant individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case of RLS in a pregnant patient during the third trimester.
- To review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and therapeutic strategies for RLS in pregnancy.
- To emphasize the challenges in managing RLS during pregnancy due to a lack of drug safety data.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 39-year-old woman with RLS in her third trimester.
- Literature review on RLS in the pregnant population.
- Discussion of current therapeutic options and their limitations.
Main Results:
- The case illustrates the common occurrence of RLS during pregnancy.
- Epidemiological and pathophysiological factors contributing to RLS in pregnancy were discussed.
- Significant challenges exist in selecting safe and effective treatments for RLS in pregnant women.
Conclusions:
- Willis-Ekbom disease is a frequent concern during pregnancy, impacting sleep.
- Management of RLS in pregnant patients is complicated by the scarcity of safety data for approved medications.
- Further research is needed to establish safe and effective treatment guidelines for RLS in pregnancy.
More Related Videos
08:40Quantifying Arms and Legs Contributions during Repetitive Electrically-Assisted Sit-To-Stand Exercise in Paraplegics: A Pilot Study
Published on: November 11, 2022
07:35Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
Published on: July 8, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects
Unlike...
Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg
Preparation:
Varicose Veins I: Introduction