Comparison of Seizure Reduction and Serum Fatty Acid Levels After Receiving the Ketogenic and Modified Atkins Diet

Authors compared retrospectively the KD and modified Atkins diet in 27 children and also assessed serum long chain fatty acid profiles. We observed a preventive effect of both diets on the occurrence of status epilepticus. After 1 and 3 months of either diet, responders experienced a significant decrease in serum arachidonic acid concentration compared to non-responders. The KD and modified Atkins diet led to seizure reduction in this small pilot series, with slightly better results after 3 months with the KD, but not after 6 months.

When Do Seizures Usually Improve With The Ketogenic Diet?

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.

A Pilot Study of The Modified Atkins Diet For Sturge–Weber Syndrome

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.