Use of a modified Atkins diet in intractable childhood epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of a modified Atkins diet in intractable childhood epilepsy.


METHODS
Fourteen children with epilepsy were treated prospectively with a modified Atkins diet. Outcome measures included seizure frequency, adverse reactions and tolerability to the diet; blood beta-hydroxybutyrate and urine ketones were also measured.


RESULTS
Six months after diet initiation, seven (50%) remained on the diet, five (36%) had >50% seizure reduction, and three (21%) were seizure free. The diet was well tolerated by 12 (86%) patients. Most complications were transient and were successfully managed by careful follow-up and conservative strategies. A consistently strong ketosis (beta-hydroxybutyrate of >3 mmol/L) seemed to be important for maintaining the efficacy of the diet therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The modified Atkins diet was well tolerated and sometimes a modified Atkins diet can be substituted for the conventional ketogenic diet. Serious complications were rare, but long-term complications remain to be determined.
Kang
Hoon-Chul
HC
Department of Pediatrics, Epilepsy Center, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Hyun Sug
HS
You
Su Jeong
SJ
Kang
Du Cheol
du C
Ko
Tae-Sung
TS
Kim
Heung Dong
HD
D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007659:Ketones / Q000652:urine; D007662:Ketosis / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D007659:Ketones; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid