Use of a modified Atkins diet in intractable childhood epilepsy.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of a modified Atkins diet in intractable childhood epilepsy.

METHODS:

Fourteen children with epilepsy were treated prospectively with a modified Atkins diet. Outcome measures included seizure frequency, adverse reactions and tolerability to the diet; blood beta-hydroxybutyrate and urine ketones were also measured.

RESULTS:

Six months after diet initiation, seven (50%) remained on the diet, five (36%) had >50% seizure reduction, and three (21%) were seizure free. The diet was well tolerated by 12 (86%) patients. Most complications were transient and were successfully managed by careful follow-up and conservative strategies. A consistently strong ketosis (beta-hydroxybutyrate of >3 mmol/L) seemed to be important for maintaining the efficacy of the diet therapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

The modified Atkins diet was well tolerated and sometimes a modified Atkins diet can be substituted for the conventional ketogenic diet. Serious complications were rare, but long-term complications remain to be determined.

• Authors: Hoon-Chul Kang, Hyun Sug Lee, Su Jeong You, Du Cheol Kang, Tae-Sung Ko, Heung Dong Kim
• Journal: Epilepsia (Epilepsia) Vol. 48 Issue 1 Pg. 182-6 (Jan 2007) ISSN: 0013-9580 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17241226 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Evaluation Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Dietary Proteins
• Ketones
• 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid

Topics

• 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid (blood, metabolism)
• Age Factors
• Child
• Cohort Studies
• Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted (adverse effects, methods)
• Dietary Proteins (administration & dosage)
• Disease-Free Survival
• Epilepsy (diet therapy, metabolism)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Ketones (urine)
• Ketosis (metabolism)
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome