Abstracts

Rationale: To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and compliance of the classical ketogenic diet and evaluate the reasons for discontinuation of the classical ketogenic diet. Methods: This is a prospective study of children with intractable epilepsy between February 1 2013 and May 31ST 2016 at a single center in Midwest. These children were started on the classic ketogenic diet. Patient demographics, social history ,epilepsy history, pre-diet nutritional status, nutritional management and side effects were recorded. Results: RESULTS: 86 patients and families with intractable epilepsy were educated about the ketogenic diet out of which 35 patients started the ketogenic diet. Out of the 20 patients who continued the ketogenic diet for more than 3 months 20% had 90-100% reduction in seizure frequency, 34.6% had 50-90% improvement in seizure frequency with a total of 54.6% showing more than 50% improvement in seizure frequency.15 patients stopped the diet at less than 3 months. Out of the 15 patients who stopped the diet early, 10 patients stopped it because the families found it too difficult due to either caregiver being a single parent or the child being in shared custody, for one family it was too expensive while 1 patient passed away. 3 children had adverse effects to the diet. Conclusions: CONCLUSION: Ketogenic diet is an effective treatment option for children with intractable epilepsy. Children under the care of single parents or children under shared custody often find it difficult to continue the classical ketogenic diet and other less rigorous diets might be better options for them. Funding: None