Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study to evaluate the effect and side effects of ketogenic diet in add-on therapy for refractory epileptic children cohort followed by our ketogenic diet team.

METHODS

HSU Dr. Behçet Uz Children's Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital Pediatric Neurology Polyclinic files were reviewed retrospectively for at least 6 months between March and November 2016. After the diseases in which the ketogenic diet was contraindicated were excluded. The consent form was taken from the families and the diet started after the training. Patients were monitored quarterly for clinical and laboratory findings with regard to efficacy and side effects by our team.

RESULTS

Total of twenty seven patients, of these 11 (40,7%) were male and 16 (59,3%) were female participated the study. Patients were in the age group of 11 months to 15 years. The majorty had partial seizures and 15 (55,5%) had other seizure types. Of them 77,7% were symptomatic epilepsy. Retrospective chart review revealed 74% patients reduced ≥50% seizures, 11,1% of patients reduced <50% seizures. 14,8% were seizure-free and 7,4% increased seizure activity. The complication rate was 37%; of those 14,8% have hyperlipidemia, 14,8% have urolithiasis, 7,4% have gastrointestinal symptoms. Eight (29,6%) children had announced secondary benefit (motor, cognitive and speech areas) from ketogenic diet.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our studies results showed that ketogenic diet was an efficacious non-pharmacological therapy for children with drug-resistant epilepsy. These children regularly must be follow by the experienced ketogenic diet team for potential side effects.