Optimal clinical management of children receiving the ketogenic diet: recommendations of the International Ketogenic Diet Study Group.
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.
Kossoff
Eric H
EH
The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. ekossoff@jhmi.edu
Zupec-Kania
Beth A
BA
Amark
Per E
PE
Ballaban-Gil
Karen R
KR
Christina Bergqvist
A G
AG
Blackford
Robyn
R
Buchhalter
Jeffrey R
JR
Caraballo
Roberto H
RH
Helen Cross
J
J
Dahlin
Maria G
MG
Donner
Elizabeth J
EJ
Klepper
Joerg
J
Jehle
Rana S
RS
Kim
Heung Dong
HD
Christiana Liu
Y M
YM
Nation
Judy
J
Nordli
Douglas R
DR
Pfeifer
Heidi H
HH
Rho
Jong M
JM
Stafstrom
Carl E
CE
Thiele
Elizabeth A
EA
Turner
Zahava
Z
Wirrell
Elaine C
EC
Wheless
James W
JW
Veggiotti
Pierangelo
P
Vining
Eileen P G
EP
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
D000927:Anticonvulsants