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Ketogenic diet and growth in Chinese infants with refractory epilepsy

Yongfang Liu1,2, Juan Wan3, Zhongmin Gao1,3

  • 1Department of Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders.

Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|March 31, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Ketogenic dietary treatment (KDT) in infants with refractory epilepsy showed appropriate growth in those under two years old after 12 months. Seizure frequency also significantly reduced in all KDT groups.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Epilepsy Management

Background:

  • Refractory epilepsy in infants poses significant challenges to growth and development.
  • Ketogenic dietary treatment (KDT) is an established therapy for epilepsy but its impact on growth in infants requires further evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the 12-month impact of ketogenic dietary treatment (KDT) on growth parameters in Chinese infants diagnosed with refractory epilepsy.
  • To compare growth outcomes and biochemical markers between infants receiving KDT and a normal growth group.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 41 infants with refractory epilepsy received KDT for 12 months, categorized by age groups (6-36 months).
  • Growth data (height, weight) and biochemical markers (liver enzymes, lipids, minerals, hemoglobin) were collected and compared with 90 infants in a normal group.
  • Seizure frequency reduction was a key efficacy outcome measure.

Main Results:

  • Infants under two years old in the KDT groups (A and B) exhibited lower prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting compared to controls.
  • A higher prevalence of anemia was noted in KDT group A compared to A1; however, other biochemical markers showed no significant differences.
  • Significant seizure frequency reduction was observed: 100% in group A, 78.6% in group B, and 77.8% in group C.

Conclusions:

  • Ketogenic dietary treatment (KDT) supports appropriate growth in Chinese infants under two years old with refractory epilepsy over a 12-month period.
  • KDT is an effective adjunctive therapy for reducing seizure frequency in infants with refractory epilepsy, with acceptable safety profiles for most biochemical markers.
Abstract

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