Paediatric Ketogenic Dietary Therapy

Our regional dietetic service provides dietetic care and support for children in South West England on Ketogenic Dietary Therapy. We support inpatient admissions, carry out outreach clinics, virtual appointments and provide regular between-clinic support via telephone and email. 

What is the Ketogenic Diet?

The ketogenic diet is a NICE-approved treatment option for children with drug-resistant epilepsy.

It is the primary treatment for two distinct disorders of brain energy metabolism: Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (Glut1DS) and Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency (PDHD).

The diet allows the body to use ketones (produced from the breakdown of fat) instead of glucose (produced from the breakdown of carbohydrate) as the main dietary source of energy.

There are different variations of the ketogenic diet, which will be discussed with the family in the initial clinic appointment. The ketogenic diet is suitable for children on oral diets and with feeding tubes.

How successful is the Ketogenic Diet?

A summary of research studies found that children given ketogenic diets may be up to three times more likely to achieve seizure freedom and up to six times more likely to experience a 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency compared to children given their usual care.

References:

NICE (2022) Epilepsies in Children, Young People and Adults. Available at:  Epilepsies in children, young people and adults (nice.org.uk) (Accessed 07 February 2023).

Martin-McGill KJ., Bresnahan R., Levy RG. and Cooper PN. (2020) 'Ketogenic diets for drug-resistant epilepsy (Review)', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(6). Art. No.: CD001903. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001903.pub5.