Modified Atkins Diet may Stop Childhood Seizures

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A modified version of the Atkins diet may be as effective as the ketogenic diet in controlling seizures in children.

A new study from Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore examined 20 children ages 3 to 18 who were having between four seizures and 470 seizures a week and who didn't respond to drug therapy. For six months, the children consumed fewer carbohydrates than the standard Atkins diet. Sixteen children completed the study. Of them, 13 had a greater than 50-percent improvement in seizures, seven had a greater than 90-percent improvement, and four were seizure-free. One-third of patients did not benefit from the diet.

"Our findings suggest relatively good efficacy compared to the ketogenic diet," says Eric Kossoff, M.D., a pediatric neurologist at Johns Hopkins Children's Center. "With 20 patients, our study wasn't large enough to say patients and physicians should replace the proven, but highly restricted ketogenic diet, but the results are encouraging and intriguing."

Both the ketogenic and Atkins diets comprise relatively high-fat and low-carbohydrate foods that alter the body's chemistry. Dr. Kossoff, however, says children tolerate the modified Atkins diet better, which may make it easier for parents and children to follow. He cautions parents to not try any diet regimen for epilepsy without a physician's close supervision

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: The 59th annual meeting of the Epilepsy Society in Washington, Dec. 2 - Dec. 6, 2005