A Modified Atkins Diet Is Effective for the Treatment of Intractable Pediatric Epilepsy
- 24 February 2006
- Vol. 47 (2), 421-424
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00438.x
Abstract
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. 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. 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). A modified Atkins diet is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for intractable pediatric epilepsy.Keywords
This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit:
- Low-glycemic-index treatment: A liberalized ketogenic diet for treatment of intractable epilepsyNeurology, 2005
- Fasting versus Gradual Initiation of the Ketogenic Diet: A Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial of EfficacyEpilepsia, 2005
- Worldwide Use of the Ketogenic DietEpilepsia, 2005
- Benefits of the Nonfasting Ketogenic Diet Compared With the Initial Fasting Ketogenic DietPublished by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) ,2004
- Effect of a High-Fat Ketogenic Diet on Plasma Levels of Lipids, Lipoproteins, and Apolipoproteins in ChildrenJAMA, 2003
- Growth of children on the ketogenic dietDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 2002
- Growth of children on the ketogenic dietDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 2002
- The Ketogenic Diet: Seizure Control Correlates Better With Serum β-Hydroxybutyrate Than With Urine KetonesJournal of Child Neurology, 2000
- The Efficacy of the Ketogenic Diet—1998: A Prospective Evaluation of Intervention in 150 ChildrenPublished by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) ,1998
- METABOLIC EFFECTS OF THREE KETOGENIC DIETS IN THE TREATMENT OF SEVERE EPILEPSYDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 1989