Lambrechts
DA, de Kinderen RJ, Vles JS, de Louw AJ, Aldenkamp AP, Majoie HJ. A randomized
controlled trial of the ketogenic diet in refractory childhood epilepsy. Acta
Neurol Scand. 2016 Mar 29. doi: 10.1111/ane.12592. [Epub ahead of print]Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the ketogenic
diet (KD) during the first 4 months of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in
refractory epilepsy patients aged 1-18 years.
METHODS:
Children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy, not
eligible for epilepsy surgery, were included. Following 1 month at baseline,
patients were randomized to either the KD or to care as usual (CAU).Primary
outcome is the proportion of patients with at least 50% reduction in seizure
frequency at 4 months. Secondary outcomes are mean percentage of baseline
seizures, seizure severity, and side effects.
RESULTS:
Fifty-seven patients were randomized; nine dropped out,
leaving 48 for analysis (i.e., 26 KD, 22 CAU). In an intention-to-treat
analysis, 13 patients (50%) treated with the KD and four patients (18.2%) of
the CAU group were responders.Mean seizure frequency at 4 months compared to
baseline, after removal of two outliers in the KD group, was significantly
lower (P = 0.024) in the KD group (56%) (95% CI: 36-76) than in the CAU group
(99%) (95% CI: 65-133%).Twice as many patients in the KD group had a relevant
decrease in seizure severity score (P = 0.070).Patients treated with the KD had
a significantly higher score for gastrointestinal symptoms (P = 0.021) without
an increase in the total score of side effects.
CONCLUSIONS:
This trial provides class I evidence that the KD is an
effective therapy in children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy compared
with CAU. Most often reported side effects are gastrointestinal symptoms.The
study has been registered with the Netherlands Trial Registry (NTR2498).
Courtesy of: http://www.mdlinx.com/neurology/medical-news-article/2016/04/07/children-ketogenic-diet-rct-refractory-epilepsy/6606405/?category=sub-specialty&page_id=1&subspec_id=317
Farias-Moeller R, Bartolini L, Pasupuleti A, Brittany Cines RD, Kao A, Carpenter JL. A Practical Approach to Ketogenic Diet in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus. Neurocrit Care. 2016 Aug 23. [Epub ahead of print]
ReplyDeleteAbstract
BACKGROUND:
Super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) ensues when there is no improvement of seizure control in response to anesthetic therapy or seizure recurrence after reduction of anesthetic agents. There is no consensus on standard of care for SRSE. Ketogenic diet (KD) has reported success, but technical challenges exist including inability to feed patients, concomitant steroid use, acidotic states, and lack of dieticians with experience. The optimal protocol for KD is yet to be determined. We describe our approach to initiation of KD in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
METHODS:
Patients with SRSE who had KD initiation in the PICU were identified. Data from the hospital course were supplemented by review of the electronic medical record.
RESULTS:
Nine children with SRSE who had KD initiated in the PICU were identified. Descriptive analysis was performed. Mean age was 5.4 years (SD 2.24). Median number of days to start KD from detection of seizures was 13 [interquartile range (IQR) 10-16]. Mean time to achieve ketosis was 4.2 days (SD 3.4). The median number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) trialed before KD was started was 4 [IQR 3-4], and the median number of continuous infusions was 2 [IQR 2-3]. After initiation of KD, most patients were weaned off anesthetic infusions by 1 week. Outcomes were variable.
CONCLUSIONS:
We demonstrated the feasibility of a practical approach to initiation of KD for children with SRSE. These children were successfully weaned off continuous anesthetic infusions. Larger studies are needed to determine effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of KD in the management of SRSE as well as ease of implementation.
Courtesy of: http://www.mdlinx.com/neurology/medical-news-article/2016/09/02/ketogenic-dietsuper-refractory-status-epilepticusfires/6834005/?category=sub-specialty&page_id=3&subspec_id=317