[MS11-4C-4] Ketogenic Diet in Iranian Pediatric Patients
In the literature of epilepsy medicine, we find that 20-30%of epileptic patients fail to respond to Antiepileptic drugs .The seizure is considered as refractory seizure, may be controlled by ketogenic diet (KD). KD which has been in use almost since a century ago, contains high fat, adequate protein and low carbohydrate. We have been using KD since twenty years ago (1986) in Neurology Department of Mofid Hospital, Tehran/Iran and outpatient department whose seizure fail to respond to old/new AEDs. Our study showed classic KD is an effective method for refractory seizure less than 2 years of age. We found 50% reduction of seizure frequency in more than 40% after six month of treatment. We documented patients who suffer refractory seizure when were placed on KD had their growth parameters better than those who were not treated by KD. We compared Atkin's with classic KD, it became apparent both of them are effective equally. Also in our department a Low Glycemic Index Treatment (65%fat,25% protein,10%carbohydrate) was used, it was found as same as other two above mentioned diets is effective in seizure reduction between 50-74%. Based upon our study we conclude that KD is an effective alternative approach for refractory seizure which can save family and government high cost of management. KD has no severe side effect but help child's development. This diet is efficacious to improve the children's behavior problems. Many centers who manage intractable epilepsy, when AEDs fail to cease seizures, recommend KD as an effective modality of treatment.