Restless Legs Syndrome in Pregnancy

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by limb akathisia that is maximal in the evening while at rest and transiently relieved by movement. The prevalence and severity of RLS increase with age. Women older than 65 have an RLS prevalence of 19%, whereas in nonpregnant women younger than 30 years of age it is only 5% (1). However, gestational RLS (gRLS) is strikingly common, with nearly 25% of pregnant women affected (see below). The association of RLS with pregnancy has been noted since the term was first coined by Ekbom in 1945. RLS is a clinical diagnosis. Its four cardinal clinical features were reviewed in Chapter 8. Further details regarding diagnosis are well described by the International RLS Study Group (2,3)