Abstract
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) in pregnancy is a common disorder with a multifactorial etiology. A neurological and obstetrical cohort of 308 postpartum women was screened for RLS within 1 to 6 days of childbirth and 12 weeks postpartum. Of the 308 young mothers, 57 (prevalence rate 19%) were identified as having been affected by RLS symptoms in the recently completed pregnancy. Structural and functional MRI was obtained from 25 of these 57 participants. A multivariate two-window algorithm was employed to systematically chart the relationship between brain structures and phenotypical predictors of RLS. A decreased volume of the parietal, orbitofrontal and frontal areas shortly after delivery was found to be linked to persistent RLS symptoms up to 12 weeks postpartum, the symptoms' severity and intensity in the most recent pregnancy, and a history of RLS in previous pregnancies. The same negative relationship was observed between brain volume and not being married, not receiving any iron supplement and higher numbers of stressful life events. High cortisol levels, being married and receiving iron supplements, on the other hand, were found to be associated with increased volumes in the bilateral striatum. Investigating RLS symptoms in pregnancy within a brain-phenotype framework may help shed light on the heterogeneity of the condition.
Highlights
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) in pregnancy is a common disorder with a multifactorial etiology
The diagnosis of RLS in pregnancy is based on the criteria developed by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG), according to which RLS is characterized by a number of neurological and other clinical indicators including the severity and frequency of repetitive compulsive movements as well as sleep and mood disturbances[14]
Within the group of women with RLS, the phenotypical predictors of the condition were assessed by means of a brain structure analysis of the brain-phenotype model
Summary
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) in pregnancy is a common disorder with a multifactorial etiology. While idiopathic (primary) RLS is thought to be strongly influenced by genetic predisposition[3], the secondary form of the condition is linked to neurodegenerative disorders, diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system (e.g. diabetic neuropathy, amyloid neuropathy4), metabolic disorders, iron deficiency, anemia and d iabetes[2]. Another common condition, in which RLS symptoms frequently manifest for the first time or worsen, is p regnancy[5]. In the context of pregnancy and childbirth, pre-pregnancy RLS has been found to be linked to perinatal d epression[21]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
