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A very important study for children with severe seizure disorders was published May 3, 2008 as an early online publication of The Lancet Neurology. The free abstract may be accessed at the link below.
The Lancet Neurology
This randomized controlled trial enrolled children who had daily seizures that did not respond to at least two antiepileptic drugs. Both generalized and focal seizure syndromes were included in the study. The children were randomly assigned to receive the ketogenic diet immediately or after a monitored 3 month delay. This latter group formed the control group. The results were dramatic. The addition of the ketogenic diet resulted in an overall mean baseline reduction of seizures in the study children compared to controls. (62% vs 137%, 75% decease, 95% CI 42.4-107.4%: p<0.0001) The ketogenic diet has been used as part of seizure management for over 80 years. In spite of widespread success, some doctors were skeptical. This RCT should be brought to the attention of all patients and physicians who treat children with intractable seizures.
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