Ketogenic diet for the treatment of refractory epilepsy: a 10 year experience in children

Ketogenic diet (KD) is a high fat and low carbohydrate diet, which controls refractory epilepsy. We analyzed the KD effects on 54 children of the Children's Institute of the University of São Paulo. Efficacy, tolerability, and adverse effects were studied. Response to KD was effective (E) if seizure control was >75%, good (G) when 50-75%. When possible, we correlated the results with the epileptic syndrome and patient's age. By the second month on diet, 57.4% of the patients had E response and 31.4% G results. At the 6th month, 63.8% had E response and 25.5% G. At the 12th month, 71.8% had E and 25.6% G. At the 24th month, 62.1% had E and 37.9% G. Antiepileptic drugs have been reduced, and generalized epilepsy was the most sensitive. Age-related differences were not observed. Adverse effects were rarely observed. In conclusion, KD proved to be an effective treatment for refractory epilepsy.