Abstract
Background: Children who are diagnosed with refractory epilepsy are more susceptible to further neurological problems and as a result, are at risk of morbidity and mortality.
Objectives: To explore research that has been conducted regarding the effectiveness of a ketogenic diet in treating children with decreased refractory epilepsy and to recommend the ketogenic diet for pediatric patients who are experiencing otherwise uncontrollable seizures, despite pharmacological therapy.
Method: The integrative literature review was conducted using the two computerized databases PsycINFO and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Health Literature (CINAHL) between 2013 and 2017 with keywords “ketogenic,” “ketogenic diet,” “epilepsy,” and “refractory epilepsy.”
Results: The ketogenic diet is a safe and effective interdisciplinary approach to treating refractory epilepsy in children. The Ketogenic diet is well tolerable and can be easily managed based on the child’s age and participation of the family.
Conclusion: The review found that the children with a ketogenic diet ratio of 4:1 (fat: protein and carbohydrates) have seen more positive results with an overall decreased number of seizures within 15 days. Compliancy of the ketogenic diet in children is based on the child’s family participation in treatment.
Keywords: ketogenic, ketogenic diet, epilepsy, refractory epilepsy, refractory epilepsy treatment, ketogenic diet for refractory epileps
