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A pilot study of the modified Atkins diet for Sturge-Weber syndrome
Eric H Kossoff1, Jennifer L Borsage, Anne M Comi
1The John M. Freeman Pediatric Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA. ekossoff@jhmi.edu
Insights
The modified Atkins diet (MAD) effectively reduced seizures in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS). This epilepsy diet is a promising, safer alternative for managing intractable seizures in this population.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Dietary Therapies
- Pediatric Epilepsy
Background:
- Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare neurological disorder often associated with intractable epilepsy.
- Traditional ketogenic diets, while effective, can be challenging due to fluid and calorie restrictions.
- The modified Atkins diet (MAD) offers a less restrictive alternative for epilepsy management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the modified Atkins diet (MAD) as a treatment for intractable seizures in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS).
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving five children aged 4-18 years with SWS and frequent intractable seizures.
- Participants were initiated on the modified Atkins diet (MAD) for a 6-month period.
- Assessment included monitoring for urinary ketosis and seizure frequency.
Main Results:
- All five children achieved urinary ketosis while on the MAD.
- Significant seizure improvement was observed in all participants.
- Three out of five children experienced a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency.
Conclusions:
- The modified Atkins diet (MAD) is a feasible and effective dietary therapy for reducing intractable seizures in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS).
- The MAD demonstrates potential as a safer alternative to the ketogenic diet for this pediatric population due to its less restrictive nature.
Abstract:
The modified Atkins diet (MAD) is a dietary treatment for epilepsy which does not restrict fluids or calories. This theoretically makes the MAD safer than the ketogenic diet for children with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS). Five children aged 4-18 years with SWS and at least monthly intractable seizures were started prospectively on the MAD for 6 months. All children had urinary ketosis and seizure improvement, including 3 with > 50% seizure reduction.
