title: [Therapeutic effect of ketogenic diet for refractory epilepsy in children: a prospective observational study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the clinical efficiency, electroencephalogram (EEG) changes and cognitive improvements of ketogenic diet (KD) in children with refractory epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty pediatric patients (7-61 months in age) with refractory epilepsy were recruited between August 2012 and August 2013. KD therapy was performed on all participants for at least 3 months based on a fasting initiation protocol with the lipid-to-nonlipid ratio being gradually increased to 4 : 1. Seizure frequency, type and degree were recorded before and during KD therapy. A 24 hours video-electroencephalogram (V-EEG) examination and Gesell Developmental Scale assessment were performed prior to KD therapy, and 3, 6, 9 months after KD therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six patients became seizure free after KD therapy, with a complete control rate of 30%. Seizure frequency reduction occurred in 13 (65%) patients, EEG improvement in 8 (40%) patients, and improvement in Gesell Developmental Scales (gross motor and adaptability in particular) in 6 (30%) patients. The KD therapy-related side effects were mild.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KD therapy is safety and effective in reducing seizure frequency and improving EEG and cognitive function in children with refractory epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Center for Children with Cerebral Palsy in Henan Province, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China. zhudengna@126.com.
authors.forename: Deng-Na
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Meng-Meng
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Jun-Hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: De-You
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Lin-Chen
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ming-Mei
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D055423:Diet, Ketogenic / Q000009:adverse effects; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence