Ketogenic Diet for Child Epilepsy and Seizure Control

Twenty to thirty percent of children with epilepsy continue to suffer from seizures, even when treated with currently available anticonvulsant medications. Children with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) are particularly handicapped by atonic-myoclonic seizures. Preliminary data suggest that even when other medications have failed, these seizures may respond rapidly and dramatically to a high-fat-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet. The purpose of the study is to assess if the classic ketogenic diet is efficacious in reducing seizure frequency, medication toxicity, and improves quality of life.

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Key information

Conditions

Epilepsy Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Epileptic Syndromes Genetic Diseases, Inborn Lennox Gastaut Syndrome Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Seizures Signs and Symptoms

Age range

1 year–10 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States

About this study

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a form of therapy for seizures that involves a brief period of fasting followed by a very carefully controlled high fat-low protein and carbohydrate diet. Studies suggest it is useful in children whose seizures could not be controlled by any of the medicines available. This study is designed to test, in a carefully controlled fashion, how well the diet works in children with "drop" seizures. Children who experience 15 or more drop seizures each day, despite having used at least two medications, may be eligible to participate. This study requires children to undergo periods of fasting and to maintain a carefully controlled diet. Parents of participating children monitor their children's diets and keep daily meal and seizure diaries.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

>15 myoclonic or atonic seizures a day
EEG with Lennox-Gastaut pattern

Exclusion criteria

<15 atonic or myoclonic seizures a day
on >3 medications
previously on diet and/or evidence of metabolic disorder

Treatment and study plan

Ketogenic diet

Behavioral

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Nih

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy of the Ketogenic Diet -- a Blinded Study

Important dates

Study start: 1997
First posted: Feb 28, 2000
Registry last updated: Dec 22, 2006

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed