J Korean Child Neurol Soc.  2002 May;10(1):54-62.

Ketogenic Diet for Intractable Epilepsy in Infancy and Childhood: Anti-epileptic Efficacy and Tolerability

• Lee SY
• Kim DS
• Ko TS

Abstract

PURPOSE: The Ketogenic diet has been used since the 1920s as an alternative therapy to antiepileptic drugs in children with intractable epilepsy. This study was performed to provide information of clinical efficacy, adverse effects, tolerability and reasons for discontinuation.
METHODS
This is a retrospective study concerning the change in frequency of seizures according to seizure classification, complication, tolerability and reasons for discontinuation in 25 children with intractable epilepsy who were treated with the 4:1 ketogenic diet.
RESULTS
One month after diet initiation, complete cessation of seizures was observed in 5 children(20%), a greater than 50% reduction of seizures in 5 children(20%). One month after diet initiation, 72% continued the ketogenic diet. At 3 months, 44% continued the ketogenic diet. Most of those discontinued the diet because it was either ineffective or too unpalatable. Gastrointestinal side effects were observed in 10 children(40%), 8 controlled by supportive care, and 2 no longer maintaing the ketogenic diet.
CONCLUSION
The ketogenic diet should be considered as an alternative therapy for children with intractable epilepsy. To maintain the ketogenic diet for a long time, family education, careful follow-up and development of various diet regimens should be considered.

Keyword

Epilepsy; Ketogenic diet; Tolerability

MeSH Terms

Anticonvulsants
Child
Classification
Diet
Education
Epilepsy*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Ketogenic Diet*
Retrospective Studies
Seizures
Anticonvulsants