what is a ketogenic diet?
A ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carbohydrate, adequate protein diet used to treat seizures. An oral diet typically consists of butter, oil, avocado, buts, seeds, heavy cream, meats, poultry, fish, cheese, non-starchy vegetables, and some fruits. Ketogenic formulas are used for children with a feeding tube or whom drink formula orally.
how do children with epilepsy benefit from a ketogenic diet?
Children started on a ketogenic diet can have decreased seizure frequency, less intense seizures, shorter seizures, increased alertness, and improved sleep. Studies show over half of the children who are started on a ketogenic diet have a 50% reduction in seizures and 10-15% will have complete seizure freedom.
how will my child be started on a ketogenic diet?
When a child is recommended to try a Classic Ketogenic Diet, the child will be admitted to the hospital for 4-5 days to start the ketogenic diet. During the admission, the child is gradually increased to their goal diet and family is provided education. If the child is recommended to try the Modified Adkins Diet or Low Glycemic Index Diet, the family will come to see the dietitian in the Neurology clinic for a 1-2 hour appointment to receive education. The family is given parameters and/or a meal plan to follow to start the Modified Adkins Diet or Low Glycemic Index Diet. Then the family will determine when to start the diet with their child shortly following that education session. This can be done either by starting the first day at goal limit of carbohydrates or by gradually decreasing carbohydrates and increasing fat.
how long will my child need to maintain a ketogenic diet?
When a child is started on any form of the ketogenic diet, we ask initially for a 3-month commitment. During this first 3 months on the diet, tweaks are made to ensure the child is optimized on the diet. At the 3 month mark, if the patient is receiving benefit from the ketogenic diet such as decreased seizure frequency, less intense seizures, shorter seizures, and increased alertness then the child will stay on the diet for 2 years with the goal of coming off of the diet at the end of 2 years from starting. At the 3-month mark, if the child is not receiving benefit from the ketogenic diet then we will take the child off the diet. There are children who are on the ketogenic diet longer than 2 years. This typically occurs when seizures worsen when starting to take the child off the diet at 2 years or seizures are reduced significantly while on the diet but the child continues to still have some seizures and the family desires to remain on the diet.