Ketogenic diet

A ketogenic diet is a very low-carb, high-fat regimen . It involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. The reduction in carbs puts the body in a metabolic state called ketosis. Ketogenic diet has anti-epileptogenic properties and is the treatment of choice for certain genetic conditions like glucose transporter deficiency. 

Our dietitian will collect detailed information on your child’s feeding habits and some baseline labs will be obtained. All seizure medications will be switched to sugar-free formulations. An elective admission to the hospital is then arranged to initiate the diet in a monitored setting. Our dietitian will closely follow your child’s growth and lab parameters for a successful and safe nutrition plan.

Side effects of a ketogenic diet may include:

• Renal abnormalities
• Metabolic acidosis
• Weight loss
• Gross inhibition
• Bone mineralization
• Constipation
• Hyperlipidemia

• Modified Atkin's Diet— Less restrictive than a ketogenic diet but uses the same principle. Allows for some carbs in the diet and no inpatient admission or weighing of portions is needed.
• Low Glycemic Index Diet—There is some indication that replacing highly refined carbs with complex carbohydrates may be beneficial in reducing the seizure frequency.