BACKGROUND: This study aims to report on use of the ketogenic diet in a group of six children and adolescents with intractable epilepsy. METHODS: Authors reviewed the medical records of every patient under 15 years of age who received the ketogenic diet between April 1999 and July 2003. A comparison is made between treatment results, adverse events and beneficial effects with the pertinent medical literature. RESULTS: The ketogenic diet was administered to six patients, whose median age was 7.0 years (range, 1.8-12.2). Average duration of diet application was of 9.7 months (range, 7 days-4 years). A reduction equal to or greater than 50% in seizure frequency was observed in half of the cases. Complications included neutropenia, constipation, dehydration, priapism, and seizure recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The ketogenic diet was effective and safe in three out of six patients with intractable epilepsy. Neutropenia was the most common complication.
Epilepsy; Child; Therapy; Ketogenic diet; Ketones
