Ketogenic diet for epilepsy treatment
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic methodology or primary empirical data
OpenAlex W2531423200 · doi:10.1590/0004-282x20160116
What was done
Narrative review describing the history, biological principles, and clinical use of ketogenic dietary therapies for intractable childhood epilepsy. The review covers the classic ketogenic diet, the medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) ketogenic diet, the modified Atkins diet, and the low glycemic index treatment.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data or effect sizes. It qualitatively describes the ketogenic diet as an established and effective nonpharmacologic treatment for refractory childhood epilepsy, noting that newer variants have been developed to improve palatability, ease implementation, reduce adverse effects, and widen patient access.
Why it matters
Provides an overview of traditional and alternative ketogenic dietary protocols for clinicians managing treatment-resistant pediatric epilepsy.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks a systematic literature search, formal study selection criteria, risk-of-bias evaluation, and quantitative data synthesis. No quantitative efficacy or tolerability rates are reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports The Mayo Clinic developed the ketogenic diet in 1921 as a treatment for epilepsy.