title: Restless legs syndrome in pregnancy is connected with iron deficiency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Almost one-third of pregnant women develop symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS), which could have a negative impact on quality of life and the course of pregnancy and/or labor. The aim of our study was to determine possible risk factors for developing RLS in pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 300 random women in the third trimester of gravidity filled out a simple questionnaire based on the official diagnostic criteria for RLS. Respondents positive for RLS were interviewed to further characterize their symptoms. The parameters of iron metabolism were examined based on blood samples. All data were statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We detected significantly lower hemoglobin levels with signs of hypochromic anemia typical of iron deficiency in RLS-positive respondents, although oral iron supplementation was significantly higher in this group. The overall severity of symptoms correlated inversely with hemoglobin level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our results, it appears that serum iron level disturbances play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of secondary RLS in pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bratislava, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Minár
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bratislava, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Košutzká
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Bratislava, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Habánová
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Bratislava, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rusňák
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Bratislava, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Planck
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bratislava, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic; Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. Electronic address: peter.valkovic@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valkovič
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000150:complications; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D007501:Iron
keywords: Iron metabolism; Pregnancy; Restless legs syndrome