Approximately 600,000 people in the UK suffer from epilepsy. The prevalence of epilepsy in the UK is approximately 9.7 per 1,000. Although epilepsy is largely treatable with anti-seizure medications, about 30% of patients suffer from drug-resistant epilepsy. Complications due to drug resistant epilepsy result in frequent hospital admissions and often involve transfers to intensive care units.
The Ketogenic Diet (KD) has been used in the management of epilepsy since the 1930s. The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. When carbohydrate intake is lowered, the body uses fat as its primary fuel source. Fats are converted into free fatty acids and ketone bodies, which help fuel the skeletal muscles and brain.
Children/young adults with drug-resistant epilepsy can potentially benefit from a ketogenic diet (KD). NICE guidelines (April 2022) state that a KD should be considered for children with childhood-onset epilepsy syndromes, such as GLUT 1 deficiency, epilepsy associated with Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency, infantile spasms, or following two failed trials of anti-seizure medications (drug-resistant epilepsy).
Our KD therapy service is offered as an inpatient or outpatient treatment. Once your child is referred to our service, we will liaise with you to ensure we know their needs and your expectations, as we want to guarantee the best possible patient centred experience. We will discuss the different options of KD. The treatment plan will be tailored to your child’s age and dietary needs.
Useful website
Ketogenic diet therapy service – https://www.hcahealthcare.co.uk/our-services/treatments/ketogenic-diet-therapy-service