Use of the ketogenic diet as treatment for refractory epilepsy and autism in the paediatric age / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

There has been great progress in seizure control with the development of antiepileptic drugs,but 30％ of epileptic children are refractory to antiepileptic drugs.In order to control intractable epilepsy and improve neurodevelopment prognosis,the non-drug therapy such as surgery,vagus nerve stimulation and ketogenic diet (KD) can be taken.Despite its indisputable effectiveness,the functioning of the KD has not been explained.Now the antiepileptic mechanism and neuroprotective mechanisms are studied mainly.It is reported that KD is effective in variety of refractory epilepsy,and recent studies have shown that KD promising in the treatment of children with autism.Although KD is effective,it is worth further study that including its mechanism,recipe,clinical application,and so on.