The ketogenic diet is particularly effective in controlling childhood myoclonic, absence and atonic (drop) seizures, which are particularly difficult to control with standard medication. The diet also helps some patients with generalised tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures and even the multifocal seizures of the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
The ketogenic diet may be tried on children with any type of seizure; unlike anticonvulsant medication, it does not appear to have any adverse side effects. Even children with structural brain disorders such as microcephaly, hypoxic brain damage, prior strokes and developmental abnormalities have had success with the diet. If a child has noticeably fewer seizures when sick or unable to eat, this may indicate potential for that child's success on the diet. |
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