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Ketogenic diet therapy for the treatment of pediatric epilepsy.

Epileptic disorders : international epilepsy journal with videotape
December 12, 2024
Babitha Haridas et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the historical use, effectiveness, and safety of the ketogenic diet as a therapy for treatment-resistant epilepsy, particularly in children and adults.

Results Summary

The ketogenic diet is effective in approximately half of children with treatment-resistant epilepsy, often showing results within months. It may allow for medication reduction or withdrawal and improve cognition and quality of life, though it requires supplements to mitigate side effects like constipation, kidney stones, and dyslipidemia.

Population

Children and adults with treatment-resistant epilepsy, including specific conditions like Glut1 deficiency and infantile epileptic spasms syndrome.

Effective Dosage

Not specified (five versions of ketogenic diet therapy mentioned, but no exact dosage details provided).

Duration

Typically 2 years before gradual discontinuation.

Interactions

Antiseizure medications (potential for reduction or withdrawal).

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
the classic ketogenic diet
decrease
epilepsy
children and adults
-
was created to treat
#1
ketogenic diet therapy
decrease
epilepsy
children
approximately half
is overall effective in
#2
ketogenic diet therapy
decrease
epilepsy
children with established indications
-
may potentially even be more advantageous than
#3
ketogenic diet therapy
decrease
medication reduction or withdrawal
some children
-
use may lead to
#4
ketogenic diet therapy
increase
cognition
some children
-
improvement in
#5
ketogenic diet therapy
increase
quality of life
some children
-
improvement in
#6
Supplements
decrease
common side effects
patients on ketogenic diet therapy
-
are begun to prevent
#7
ketogenic diet therapy
decrease
treatment duration
most children
after 2 years
is discontinued
#8
Abstract

In 1921, the classic ketogenic diet was created at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota to treat epilepsy in children and adults. Over a century later, it is a widely used, standard-of-care therapy for typically treatment-resistant epilepsy worldwide. There are currently five versions of ketogenic diet therapy that can be started either in or out of the hospital setting. It is overall effective in approximately half of children started, usually within a few months. Established indications for ketogenic diet therapy exist, in which this treatment may potentially even be more advantageous than antiseizure medications. Some of these indications include Glut1 deficiency, pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency, infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures, and formula-fed children. Although most children are also receiving antiseizure medications with ketogenic diet therapy, its use may lead to medication reduction or withdrawal in some cases, and improvement in cognition and quality of life. Supplements are begun when ketogenic diet therapy is initiated in order to prevent common side effects, including constipation, kidney stones, growth disturbance, and dyslipidemia. Typically, after 2 years in most children, ketogenic diet therapy is discontinued gradually.

Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety70
Efficacy80/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations3
Citations/Year3.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.88
Normalized Score0.77
Related Supplements
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