Dietary therapy is not the best option for refractory nonsurgical epilepsy.

The ketogenic diet (KD) is currently a well-established treatment for patients with medically refractory, nonsurgical epilepsy. However, despite its efficacy, the KD is highly restrictive and constitutes a treatment with serious potential adverse effects, and often with difficulties in its implementation and compliance. Patients on the KD require strict follow-up and constant supervision by a medical team highly experienced in its management in order to prevent complications. Other alternative treatments for patients with refractory epilepsy include vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), new-generation antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), corpus callosotomy (CC), and responsive focal cortical stimulation (RNS). In this review, we explain not only the difficulties of the KD as a therapeutic option for refractory epilepsy but also the benefits of other therapeutic strategies, which, in many cases, have proven to have better efficacy than the KD itself.

Use of ketogenic dietary therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy in early infancy.

OBJECTIVE: There is growing evidence that ketogenic dietary therapy (KDT) can be safely and efficiently used in young children, but little evidence exists on its use in newborns. Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies starting in the neonatal period or early infancy usually present a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness, safety, and survival of infants younger than 3 months of age with drug-resistant epilepsy in whom KDT was used. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate neonates and infants younger than 3 months who started KDT for drug-resistant developmental and epileptic encephalopathies at three referral centers. Data were collected on demographic features, time of epilepsy onset, epilepsy syndrome, seizure type, seizure frequency at diet onset, etiology, details regarding diet initiation, type of ketogenic formula, breastfeeding, route of administration, blood ketones, growth, length of NICU stay, and survival. RESULTS: Nineteen infants younger than 12 weeks of life who received KDT with a minimum follow-up of 1 month were included; 13 had early-infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, four epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures, and two focal epilepsy. A >50% response was observed in 73.7% at 1 month on the diet; 37% achieved a > 75% seizure reduction, and 10.5% became seizure free. At 3 months, a >50% decrease in seizure frequency was observed in 72.2%; 15.8% had a >75% reduction; 21% became seizure free. Overall survival was 76% at 1 year on diet. Incidence of acute and late adverse effects was low and most adverse effects were asymptomatic and manageable. SIGNIFICANCE: Our experience suggests that KDT is safe and effective in newborns and very young infants; however, further studies on the management of the diet in this vulnerable age group are necessary.

Classic and Atypical Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis in Latin America: Clinical and Genetic Aspects, and Treatment Outcome with Cerliponase Alfa.

Introduction: Late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2), is a neurodegenerative autosomal recessive disease caused by TPP1 gene variants, with a spectrum of classic and atypical phenotypes. The aim of treatment is to slow functional decline as early as possible in an attempt to improve quality of life and survival. This study describes the clinical characteristics as well as the response to treatment with cerliponase alfa. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted in five Latin-American countries, using clinical records from patients with CLN2. Clinical follow-up and treatment variables are described. A descriptive and bivariate statistical analysis was performed. Results: A total of 36 patients were observed (range of follow-up of 61-110 weeks post-treatment). At presentation, patients with the classic phenotype (n = 16) exhibited regression in language (90%), while seizures were the predominant symptom (87%) in patients with the atypical phenotype (n = 20). Median age of symptom onset and time to first specialized consultation was 3 (classical) and 7 (atypical) years, while the median time interval between onset of symptoms and treatment initiation was 4 years (classical) and 7.5 (atypical). The most frequent variant was c.827 A > T in 17/72 alleles, followed by c.622C > T in 6/72 alleles. All patients were treated with cerliponase alfa, and either remained functionally stable or had a loss of 1 point on the CLN2 scale, or up to 2 points on the Wells Cornel and Hamburg scales, when compared to pretreatment values. Discussion and conclusion: This study reports the largest number of patients with CLN2 currently on treatment with cerliponase alfa in the world. Data show a higher frequency of patients with atypical phenotypes and a high allelic proportion of intron variants in our region. There was evidence of long intervals until first specialized consultation, diagnosis, and enzyme replacement therapy. Follow-up after the initiation of cerliponase alfa showed slower progression or stabilization of the disease, associated with adequate clinical outcomes and stable functional scores. These improvements were consistent in both clinical phenotypes.

ESTUDIO DEL IMPACTO DE LA DIETA CETOGÉNICA EN LA CALIDAD DE VIDA DE PACIENTES PEDIÁTRICOS CON EPILEPSIA Y SUS FAMILIAS / STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF THE KETOGENIC DIET ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY AND THEIR FAMILIES

Introducción: El tratamiento mediante los distintos tipos de dietas cetogénicas ha demostrado en diversos trabajos efectividad en la reducción de las crisis convulsivas, de manera total o parcial. Sin embargo, se reportan tasas de deserción en la realización a largo plazo. Objetivo: Este trabajo tiene como objetivo identificar beneficios y dificultades que perciben las familias de niños en el tratamiento de Epilepsia resistente a fármacos que lleven a cabo la dieta cetogénica y que podrían influir en la adherencia o deserción. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal retrospectivo, en el Servicio de Neurología Infantil del HIBA, sección Dieta Cetogénica. Para el estudio, se realizó una encuesta para recabar características sociodemográficas de la población bajo estudio y también sobre dificultades y beneficios hallados en la terapia cetogénica. Se analizaron frecuencias, medias y chi cuadrado para establecer diferencias significativas con intervalo de confianza de 95%. Resultados: La muestra estuvo compuesta por 51 participantes, de 0 a 18 años. Al indagar sobre si percibían mejoras tras realizar terapia cetogénica, el 81% respondió que sí, el 11% no percibió mejoras y el 8% no sabía. Acerca de la presencia de dificultades para llevar a cabo el tratamiento, el 71% respondió que se encontraba con dificultades, el 23% no registró dificultades y el 6% manifestó que a veces. Al relacionar la presencia de dificultades con el nivel socioeconómico, se observaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos, siendo de mayor incidencia en familias de ingresos más bajos. Respecto de la variable edad, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en relación con las dificultades percibidas. Conclusiones: Es importante continuar trabajando con las familias en las dificultades que presentan para evitar deserción del tratamiento. Asimismo, resulta indispensable destacar el alto porcentaje de mejorías que perciben sus padres para lograr mayor adherencia

Introduction: Treatment using the different types of ketogenic diets has been shown in various studies to be effective in reducing seizures, which can be total or partial. However, dropout rates are reported in the long-term completion of it. Objetive: The objective of this work is to identify the benefits and difficulties perceived by the families of children undergoing treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy who follow the ketogenic diet and that could influence adherence or desertion. Materials and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at the HIBA Child Neurology Service, Ketogenic Diet section. For the study, a survey was carried out to collect sociodemographic characteristics of the population under study and also about difficulties and benefits found in ketogenic therapy. Frequencies, measures and chi square were analyzed to establish significant differences with a 95% confidence interval. Results: The sample consisted of 51 participants, from 0 to 18 years old. When asked if they perceived improvements after performing ketogenic therapy, 81% answered yes, 11% did not perceive improvements and 8% did not know. About the presence of difficulties to carry out the treatment, 71% answered that they had difficulties, 23% did not have them and 6% sometimes.When relating the presence of difficulties with the socioeconomic level, significant differences were observed between the groups, with a higher incidence in lower-income families. Regarding the age variable, no significant differences were found in relation to the perceived difficulties. Conclusion: It is important to continue working with families on the difficulties they present to avoid dropping out of treatment. Likewise, it is essential to highlight the high percentage of improvements that their parents perceive to achieve greater adherence

Myasthenia gravis in childhood.

INTRODUCTION: Pathologic alterations in neuromuscular transmission, known as Myasthenia Gravis (MG), comprise combinations (forms) of pre- and post-synaptic changes whose age at onset and clinical manifestations are dissimilar. Some forms have autoimmune features, while others have a defect due to functional or structural plaque alternations. The purpose of this work is to describe the clinical forms of MG seen in childhood, to facilitate proper diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective data from 87 patients studied at the Ricardo Gutierrez Children's Hospital from 1990 to 2002 are presented. They were evaluated by clinical, pharmacological, electrophysiological, laboratory and radiological exams. RESULTS: Three distinct groups of patients were found: Group 1, Transient Neonatal Myasthenia Gravis (TNMG) represented 6.8% 9 (n=6) of the total number of patients. None of these six patients had ocular involvement. Group 2, Congenital Myasthenia (CMG) represented 17.2% of cases 9 (n=15). These patients had an onset of symptoms from 1 to 12 months of age. Eight cases were sporadic and the remainder familial. The most frequent symptom in this group was bilateral blepharoptosis in 13 patients. Group 3, Juvenile Myasthenia (JMG) comprised 76% of the patients (n=66). The onset of symptoms in this group ranged from 13 months to 14 years (mean 3.6 years). Thirty-nine of these children presented purely with ocular symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Children with myasthenia gravis may present to the ophthalmologist first, with symptoms such as unilateral or bilateral blepharoptosis, diplopia, strabismus or ophthalmoplegia. Therefore, it is essential that the ophthalmologist be aware of the varied features of this disorder in children in order to diagnosis it correctly and make appropriate treatment referrals.

Treatment of refractory epilepsy with the modified Atkins diet.

The modified Atkins diet (MAD) is an alternative therapeutic diet for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. It consists of a diet with 60% energy from fat, 30% from protein, and 10% from carbohydrates. The objective of this article is to present a series of nine patients diagnosed with refractory epilepsy of different etiologies treated with the MAD at our hospital. In our group of nine patients, results obtained were similar to those published by other authors, with adequate adherence, tolerance and response. Of all patients, two achieved a reduction of more than 90% in the number of seizures; four experienced a reduction of 50-90%; two had a reduction of less than 50% in seizure control; and only one patient did not respond to the MAD. No patient had an increase in the number of seizures, and the diet was well-tolerated in all cases.

Tratamiento de la epilepsia refractaria con dieta de Atkins modificada / Treatment of refractory epilepsy with the modified Atkins diet

La dieta de Atkins modificada (DAM) es una alternativa dietaria terapéutica en el tratamiento de la epilepsia fármaco-resistente. Consiste en una dieta con un aporte de 60% de grasas, 30% de proteínas y 10% de carbohidratos. El objetivo es presentar una serie de 9 pacientes con diagnóstico de epilepsia refractaria de diferentes etiologías, que recibieron tratamiento con DAM en nuestro hospital. En nuestro grupo de 9 pacientes, obtuvimos resultados similares a los publicados por otros autores, con buena adherencia, tolerancia y respuesta. Del total de pacientes, dos lograron una reducción en más del 90% del número de crisis; cuatro, del 50-90%; dos, menos del 50% de control; y solo uno no presentó respuesta a la DAM. Ningún paciente presentó aumento del número de crisis, y fue bien tolerada en todos los casos

The modified Atkins diet (MAD) is an alternative therapeutic diet for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. It consists of a diet with 60% energy from fat, 30% from protein, and 10% from carbohydrates. The objective of this article is to present a series of nine patients diagnosed with refractory epilepsy of different etiologies treated with the MAD at our hospital. In our group of nine patients, results obtained were similar to those published by other authors, with adequate adherence, tolerance and response. Of all patients, two achieved a reduction of more than 90% in the number of seizures; four experienced a reduction of 50-90%; two had a reduction of less than 50% in seizure control; and only one patient did not respond to the MAD. No patient had an increase in the number of seizures, and the diet was well-tolerated in all cases.