REVIEW ON KETOGENIC DIET: AN APPARENT THERAPY FOR PEDIATRIC REFRACTORY SEIZURES

Reshma Raju, Dr. L. Panayappan*, Aiwa Avarachan and Dr. K. Krishnakumar

ABSTRACT

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high fat, low carbohydrate, and restricted protein diet, used as an alternative therapy for refractory epilepsy. Refractory epilepsy poses high risk of morbidity and mortality for pediatric population. It is a desirable treatment modality for refractory epilepsy in children. The ketogenic diet can be used by people of all ages. In the hospital setting, patients are administered with 1 g of protein per 1 kg of bodyweight, 5-10 g of carbohydrates, and the rest daily calories are given in the form of fat. The efficacy of ketogenic diet is more acknowledged than most of the new antiepileptic drugs. The neuroprotective activity of ketogenic diet can be applied beyond its treatment for epileptic conditions. The ketogenic diet is not heave of side effects. Despite of that, the side effects such as dehydration and hypoglycemia are foreseeable, avertable and treatable. Thus ketogenic diet can be considered as a safe intervention in comparison with other conventional antiepileptics. Pharmacists can play an important role in impeding the use of medications with high carbohydrate content. So along with the advancements in medical field, ketogenic diet can be considered as an apparent therapy for refractory seizures.

Keywords: Children, Ketogenicdiet, Refractory epilepsy, Therapy.