Ketogenic Diet in Pediatric Intractable Epilepsy

Launched by SUN YAT-SEN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OF SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY · Mar 13, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of a ketogenic diet on children with hard-to-treat epilepsy, known as intractable epilepsy. The researchers want to see if this special diet, which is high in fats and low in carbohydrates, can help control seizures better than traditional medications alone. They plan to include 59 children aged 6 months to 12 years who have more than four seizures a month and do not have certain metabolic diseases or severe liver or kidney issues. Some of the participants will follow the ketogenic diet along with their usual medications, while others will only take the medications.

If your child qualifies for this study, they will be part of a group that may receive a new dietary treatment in addition to their current medications. The researchers will monitor how well the diet helps with seizure control and look for changes in inflammation, which may help improve future treatments for epilepsy. It’s important to know that children who have certain health issues or are eligible for surgery won't be part of this trial. The study is currently looking for participants, so it could be a good opportunity for families seeking additional options for managing epilepsy.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Children aged 6 months to 12 years with a diagnosis of intractable epilepsy
• • more than four seizures per month
• • no metabolic diseases
• • no severe liver or kidney dysfunction.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Fat metabolism or other metabolic diseases
• • febrile or infectious periods
• • contraindications to the ketogenic diet
• • children suitable for surgery or parents refusing drug and diet intervention.