A ketogenic diet appears to be effective for children with refractory status epilepticus (RSE) suggests a small trial that included 14 patients.
- A study conducted by the Status Epilepticus Research Group from January 2011 to December 2016 found that 71% of patients with refractory status epilepticus who received a ketogenic diet experienced seizure resolution, verified by EEG findings, within 7 days of starting the regimen.
- 79% of the children with RSE were weaned off enteral infusions of the diet within 14 days.
- Possible adverse effects from the ketogenic diet occurred in 3 of 14 patients, including gastrointestinal paresis and elevated triglyceride levels.
- The regimen produced ketosis within a median of 2 days after it was initiated.
- By 3 months, 4 patients were still seizure free and 3 had fewer seizures.
pediatric Status Epilepticus Research Group (pSERG). Efficacy and safety of ketogenic diet for treatment of pediatric convulsive refractory status epilepticus. Epilepsy Res. 2018;144:1-6.
