Modified Atkins Diet in Children and Adolescents With Drug-resistant Epilepsy

Modified Atkins Diet in Children and Adolescents With Drug-resistant Epilepsy - a Prospective Pilot Trial

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of the Modified Atkins Diet in children and adolescents with drug-resistant epilepsy regarding seizure control, and to create a protocol for the use of the Modified Atkins Diet as a treatment for epilepsy in Norway.

The study is a prospective trial on the Modified Atkins Diet for children and adolescents with drug-resistant epilepsy. The Modified Atkins Diet is a less restrictive diet than the classical ketogenic diet, which is usually offered to this group of patients. Twenty patients between 2 and 18 years are included in the study, and the study period is 6 months. The study will be conducted at the National Centre for Child Epilepsy in Norway.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age: 2-18 years
• At least 3 epileptic seizures per week
• Tried at least two anti-epileptic drugs without satisfactory seizure control
• Willing to try diet treatment for 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Too difficult for the family to adhere to a strict diet
• Not able to fill in a seizure calendar
• Local authorities will not approve the treatment
• VNS stimulator the last 12 months or changes made to VNS stimulator during the last three months
• Other disease where a diet high in fat is contra indicated
• Diet treatment is not possible because of poor intake of food or fluids
• Cortisol or other medication that influence energy metabolism or epileptic drug metabolism last month
• Patient has the last month used alternative medicine which may influence the diet
• Patient has tried the ketogenic fiet og Modified Atkins diet the last three years
• pregnancy