Restless legs syndrome is related to obstructive sleep apnea symptoms during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relation between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and obstructive sleep apnea symptoms during pregnancy. METHODS: A questionnaire consisting of diagnostic criteria of restless legs syndrome, demographic characteristics, personal behavior, muscle cramps during pregnancy, past medical illnesses, family history of RLS, and the major symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was administered during a face-to-face interview. Pregnant women with and without RLS were compared in terms of serum hemoglobin, hematocrit, calcium, phosphor, iron, folate, vitamin B12 levels, and obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between two groups in terms of two of the obstructive sleep apnea symptoms (witnessed apnea and fatigue) (p < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was found with regard to serum calcium, magnesium, iron, hemoglobin, hematocrit, vitamin B12, phosphor, and folate levels; however, there were significant differences in terms of total iron-binding capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing awareness of restless legs syndrome among obstetricians is essential as it might be related to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, which is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.