modified atkins diet for intractable childhood epilepsy

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a modified Atkins diet for intractable childhood epilepsy. Twenty one children with medically intractable epilepsy were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria were at least four seizures per month and a trial of at least three anticonvulsants without becoming seizure-free. The subjects received the diet over a 6-month period. Three months after diet initiation, 15 patients [71.4%] remained on the diet and 12 [57.1%] had >50% seizure reduction. Eleven patients [52.4%] completed the 6-month study and 8 [38.1%] chose to remain on the diet afterward. At 6 months, 9 patients [42.8%] had >50% seizure reduction. The diet was more effective in cryptogenic epilepsy [p=0.032]. Most complications were transient and successfully managed by careful follow-up and conservative strategies. The modified Atkins diet is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for intractable childhood epilepsy