title: The ketogenic diet and the QT interval.
abstract: Cardiac complications have been rarely reported associated with the ketogenic diet. Prolonged QT interval in the electrocardiogram and torsades de pointes arrhythmias have been described in a few cases. The effect of the ketogenic diet on QT interval has not been systematically evaluated. We obtained serial electrocardiograms in our patients on the ketogenic diet to look for changes in the mean QT interval. Twenty seven children aged 6 months to 5 years with refractory epilepsy were enrolled. Classic ketogenic diet was introduced using a non-fasting gradual initiation protocol. All patients were supplemented with oral calcium and selenium. Electrocardiograms were obtained at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months on the ketogenic diet. There was no statistically significant change in the corrected QT interval over time. There were no ST segment changes or dysrhythmias in any of the electrocardiograms.
authors: Child Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Shri Aurobindo Marg Street, New Delhi 110029, India.
authors: Suvasini
authors: S
authors: Sharma
authors: Sheffali
authors: S
authors: Gulati
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D055423:Diet, Ketogenic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000178:diet therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control