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.

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.

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.

Treatment of refractory epilepsy with the modified Atkins diet. / 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.