Over twenty-five years of ketogenic diet therapy: Supporting children and adults with drug-resistant epilepsy using nutritionally complete ketogenic formulations: A scoping review.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Scoping review synthesising heterogeneous observational and clinical reports without systematic risk of bias assessment or meta-analysis
PubMed 40925267 · doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2025.110683
What was done
PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases were searched from January 1998 to November 2024 for English and Dutch studies evaluating a specific nutritionally complete ketogenic formulation (KetoCal) in paediatric or adult patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Studies were included if formulation-specific outcomes were reported separately. Data extracted included demographics, ketogenic diet type, formulation ratio and volume, reported outcomes, and measurement timepoints.
What was found
From 645 identified articles, 41 met inclusion criteria. The abstract presents no quantitative data, percentages, or pooled effect estimates. Qualitatively, studies reported additional benefits of the formulation alongside ketogenic diet therapy on seizure frequency reduction and seizure severity compared to diet alone. Compliance and retention rates appeared higher with the formulation, no major adverse effects were reported, and palatability/convenience were rated highly. The formulation also showed expanding use in intensive care for (super-)refractory status epilepticus.
Why it matters
This review synthesises over two decades of evidence regarding commercially prepared ketogenic medical formulas, mapping their utility for improving adherence, ease of administration, and use in acute critical care settings.
Limits
The abstract provides no numerical data, effect sizes, confidence intervals, or formal risk of bias assessment. Search criteria were limited to English and Dutch literature and restricted to a single specific commercial formulation.
Cited by
- supports Ketogenic metabolic therapy has been used clinically in children for decades to manage epilepsy.