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A modified Atkins diet is effective for the treatment of intractable pediatric epilepsy.
- Source :
-
Epilepsia [Epilepsia] 2006 Feb; Vol. 47 (2), pp. 421-4. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- Purpose: The Atkins diet may induce ketosis as does the ketogenic diet, without restrictions on calories, fluids, protein, or need for an inpatient fast and admission. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a modified Atkins diet for intractable childhood epilepsy.<br />Methods: Twenty children were treated prospectively in a hospital-based ambulatory clinic from September 2003 to May 2005. Children aged 3-18 years, with at least three seizures per week, who had been treated with at least two anticonvulsants, were enrolled and received the diet over a 6-month period. Carbohydrates were initially limited to 10 g/day, and fats were encouraged. Parents measured urinary ketones semiweekly and recorded seizures daily. All children received vitamin and calcium supplementation.<br />Results: In all children, at least moderate urinary ketosis developed within 4 days (mean, 1.9). Sixteen (80%) completed the 6-month study; 14 chose to remain on the diet afterward. At 6 months, 13 (65%) had >50% improvement, and seven (35%) had >90% improvement (four were seizure free). Mean seizure frequency after 6 months was 40 per week (p = 0.005). Over a 6-month period, mean serum blood urea nitrogen increased from 12 to 17 mg/dl (p = 0.01); creatinine was unchanged. Cholesterol increased from 192 to 221 mg/dl, (p = 0.06). Weight did not change significantly (34.0-33.7 kg); only six children lost weight. A stable body mass index over time correlated with >90% improvement (p = 0.004).<br />Conclusions: A modified Atkins diet is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for intractable pediatric epilepsy.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Age Factors
Anticonvulsants therapeutic use
Blood Urea Nitrogen
Child
Child, Preschool
Cholesterol blood
Creatinine blood
Dietary Fats administration & dosage
Dietary Fats metabolism
Dietary Proteins administration & dosage
Dietary Proteins metabolism
Epilepsy blood
Epilepsy metabolism
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Ketones urine
Ketosis blood
Ketosis etiology
Ketosis urine
Male
Nitrogen blood
Treatment Outcome
Weight Loss
Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted methods
Epilepsy diet therapy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0013-9580
- Volume :
- 47
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Epilepsia
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16499770
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00438.x