title: Optimal clinical management of children receiving the ketogenic diet: recommendations of the International Ketogenic Diet Study Group.
abstract: The ketogenic diet (KD) is an established, effective nonpharmacologic treatment for intractable childhood epilepsy. The KD is provided differently throughout the world, with occasionally significant variations in its administration. There exists a need for more standardized protocols and management recommendations for clinical and research use. In December 2006, The Charlie Foundation commissioned a panel comprised of 26 pediatric epileptologists and dietitians from nine countries with particular expertise using the KD. This group was created in order to create a consensus statement regarding the clinical management of the KD. Subsequently endorsed by the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society, this resultant manuscript addresses issues such as patient selection, pre-KD counseling and evaluation, specific dietary therapy selection, implementation, supplementation, follow-up management, adverse event monitoring, and eventual KD discontinuation. This paper highlights recommendations based on best evidence, including areas of agreement and controversy, unanswered questions, and future research.
authors.affiliation: The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. ekossoff@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Eric H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Kossoff
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Zupec-Kania
authors.forename: Per E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Amark
authors.forename: Karen R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Ballaban-Gil
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Christina Bergqvist
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blackford
authors.forename: Jeffrey R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Buchhalter
authors.forename: Roberto H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Caraballo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Helen Cross
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Dahlin
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Donner
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klepper
authors.forename: Rana S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Jehle
authors.forename: Heung Dong
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Christiana Liu
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nation
authors.forename: Douglas R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Nordli
authors.forename: Heidi H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Pfeifer
authors.forename: Jong M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rho
authors.forename: Carl E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Stafstrom
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Thiele
authors.forename: Zahava
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Elaine C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Wirrell
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wheless
authors.forename: Pierangelo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Veggiotti
authors.forename: Eileen P G
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Vining
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000075202:Contraindications; D055423:Diet, Ketogenic / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants