Overview
- A prospective study of 2,435 pregnant women published Aug. 31, 2026, in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that developing restless legs syndrome (RLS) during pregnancy was associated with a threefold higher risk of incident major perinatal depression.
- The increased risk was concentrated in RLS identified in the third trimester and was not seen for RLS that appeared only in the second trimester.
- Statistical models that adjusted for age, education, partner status, job, number of prior children, and pregnancy intention produced a hazard ratio of about 3.0 for major depression and about 2.1 for elevated depressive symptoms.
- The study found low RLS counts in this cohort (1.6% in trimester two, 3.5% in trimester three) and relied on self-reported screens and a self-selected sample, so the authors caution that small case numbers and observational design limit generalizability and do not prove causation.
- Authors recommend re-screening pregnant people for RLS in late pregnancy and call for clinical trials to test whether treatments such as iron targeting, stretching, or sleep interventions can reduce the risk of postpartum and perinatal depression, a change that could alter prenatal screening and support plans.