The Ketogenic Diet: Adolescents Can Do It, Too

Abstract

Summary:Purpose: To determine both the efficacy of and compliance with the ketogenic diet in the adolescent population.Methods: A retrospective study of 45 patients, aged 12-19 years, consecutively enrolled in a ketogenic diet program from 1994 to 2002, was performed. Thirty-seven patients were from The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions; eight were from The University of Texas at Houston. Charts were reviewed, and patients were contacted by telephone.Results: Six months after diet initiation, 28 (62%) of 45 remained on the ketogenic diet, with six (21%) of 28 having 50-90% seizure reduction, and eight (29%) of 28 having >90%. At 12 months, 20 (44%) of 45 remained on the diet, with seven (35%) of 20 having 50-90% seizure reduction and six (30%) of 20 achieving >90% efficacy. Only 22% discontinued the diet for perceived restrictiveness. The mean diet duration was 1.2 years. Patients with multiple seizure types did best, whereas gender, prior seizure frequency, diet ratio, and age did not influence outcome. Patients dependent on parents for daily care were more likely to remain on the diet at 6 months, but had less efficacy. Weight loss (60%) and menstrual dysfunction (45% of female subjects) were the most commonly reported side effects.Conclusions: The ketogenic diet is as well tolerated and efficacious for adolescents with epilepsy as for the general childhood population.

Ketogenic diets, mitochondria, and neurological diseases

“…1 ). However, in spite of the challenges in maintaining the diet in older patients, mostly due to compliance issues, improved seizure control has been reported as well in adolescents and adults (43)(44)(45).…”

Diettbehandling av epilepsi

“…Some of our patients report an increased number of bruises. Disruptions of the menstrual cycle also occur (24).…”

Dietary Therapies to Treat Epilepsy

“…Recent studies have challenged the belief that older patients could not maintain therapeutic ketosis, could not comply with the rigors of the diet, and that the ketogenic diet was less efficacious in this age group. Mady et al reviewed their experience with 45 adolescents who had been on the ketogenic diet for an average duration of 1.2 years [11]. They found no evidence to support the beliefs that the diet was not efficacious and too restrictive in this age group.…”