Restless leg syndrome in pregnancy

Abstract

The restless leg syndrome is an unpleasant creeping sensation deep in the lower legs causing an irresistible desire to move the leg and relieve the sensation. We assessed the prevalence and outcome of the syndrome in pregnancy. Though our inquiry found that 97 of 500 pregnant women (19%) had the syndrome, only seven had severe symptoms. Many of those with mild or moderate symptoms were identified only after careful questioning. By 10 days after delivery only six women who had developed the syndrome during pregnancy still complained of symptoms. Though the aetiology of the condition is poorly understood, the reduction in the prevalence of symptoms from four weeks before delivery to the period soon after may have coincided with a voluntary or enforced period of reduced activity; a tiring day was the most common factor associated with the development of symptoms.