Category: Ketogenic Diet

It is important for adolescents with epilepsy receiving ketogenic diets to have transition plans in place for when they become adults. Adult epilepsy diet centers are the ideal option when possible.

The author’s experience suggests that the MAD is similarly effective as the KD in reducing seizure frequency in children with medically resistant epilepsy.

The two major nonpharmacologic treatments for patients with epilepsy are neurostimulation devices (e.g. vagus nerve stimulators) and dietary treatments (ketogenic). In this review, we will cover the latter treatments, namely, using diets.

This study analyzed the combination of the Modified Atkins Diet and the supplement KetoCal in the treatment of intractible childhood epilepsy. The use of this ketogenic supplement increased daily fat intake and thus the ketogenic ratio but did not change urinary or serum ketosis. The addition of a ketogenic supplement to the modified Atkins diet during its initial month appears to be beneficial.

A higher incidence of improvement with the KD occurred for those with myoclonic-astatic epilepsy including all who became seizure-free.

The modified Atkins diet (MAD) is a dietary treatment for epilepsy which does not restrict fluids or calories. This theoretically makes the MAD safer than the ketogenic diet for children with Sturge–Weber syndrome (SWS). Five children aged 4–18 years with SWS and at least monthly intractable seizures were started prospectively on the MAD for 6 months. All children had urinary ketosis and seizure improvement, including 3 with >50% seizure reduction.

The KD works quickly when effective, typically within the first 1–2 weeks. Starting the KD after a fasting periodmay lead to a more rapid, but equivalent long-term seizure reduction, confirming prior reports. If the KD has not led to seizure reduction after 2 months, it can probably be discontinued.