Fw: [ozmidwifery] another article on RLS

[Fiona & Craig Rumble]

This was one of the articles. Restless Legs Syndrome Common Among Pregnant Women NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Sept 27 - During pregnancy, one in four women will experience restless legs syndrome (RLS), Italian researchers report. The current study is not the first to make a connection between RLS and pregnancy. However, it is the first to use the four diagnostic criteria set forth by the International RLS Study Group in 1995: desire to move the legs usually associated with paresthesias or dysesthesias, motor restlessness, worsening of symptoms with rest/inactivity, and worsening symptoms at night. The findings, which appear in the September 28th issue of Neurology, are based on a study of 642 pregnant women who were evaluated for RLS using the recently introduced criteria. Twenty-six percent of women had RLS at some point during their pregnancy, lead author Dr. Mauro Manconi, from Vita-Salute University in Milan, and colleagues note. The percentage of women with RLS rose dramatically during the third trimester, and most of the cases resolved around the time of delivery. The only risk factor for developing RLS during pregnancy was a low hemoglobin level, the investigators report. "Our results on a significant difference in iron storage indicators support a hypothesis that a relative iron deficit could play a role" in RLS, Dr. Manconi said in a statement. However, he said, "the rapid improvement of RLS symptoms after delivery give more power to a hormonal rather than iron-related hypothesis." Neurology 2004;63:1065-1069. Related Links Resource Centers Movement Disorders Pregnancy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leanne Wynne Midwife in charge of "Women's Business" Mildura Aboriginal Health Service  Mob 0418 371862 _________________________________________________________________ Smart Saving with ING Direct - earn 5.25% p.a. variable rate:  http://ad.au.doubleclick.net/clk;7249209;8842331;n?http://www.ingdirect.com.au/burst6offer.asp?id=8 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.