Ketogenic Diet

A ketogenic diet is a diet which contains very low amounts of carbohydrate and a high level of fat. The body responds to the diet by entering into a metabolic state called ketosis. This encourages the body to burn fat for energy and to convert fats into ketones. Ketones can be used to generate energy and using ketones for energy may affect how excitable the nervous system is. Careful measurements of the number of calories, volumes of fluids, weight of foods and amounts and types of proteins are required to maintain a ketogenic diet.

There has been substantial research showing that following a ketogenic diet can reduce the number of seizures that children with epilepsy suffer. There has not been research looking at the effect of this diet specifically on children with cerebral palsy. However, between 30 – 50% of children with cerebral palsy suffer from epilepsy and, for these children, a ketogenic diet may prove beneficial through reducing the frequency of their seizures.

There are known side effects of a ketogenic diet and these include constipation, dehydration, imbalance of electrolytes in the blood and cells, low blood sugar, bone fractures, tiredness, kidney stones and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Changing to a ketogenic diet can affect the growth of a child and so the advice of a health care professional such as a registered dietician, neurologist or pediatrician should be sought before undertaking this change. Typically, a ketogenic diet is started whilst the child is monitored in the hospital.  A child will also need to take additional vitamin and mineral supplements when following the diet.

Other risks include the potential risk of a seizure if one meal is eaten which is not a keto meal. If the plan is made to stop a child following a ketogenic diet then their diet should be changed gradually over the course of months under professional guidance. Children may also develop dietary aversions if they are required to follow a restrictive diet such as a ketogenic diet.

To learn more about how the ketogenic diet is administered and how it works, you may visit the BC Children’s Hospital website. In order to determine if a ketogenic diet would benefit your child, your child will require an assessment by a pediatric neurologist.