Exogenous Ketone Esters for Refractory Status Epileptics

Efficacy of Exogenous Ketone Esters for Children With Refractory Convulsive Status Epileptics

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of add-on exogenous ketone esters for the treatment of children with refractory generalized convulsive status epilepticus

Generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is a common neurological emergency in children with significant morbidity and mortality. Benzodiazepines (Bzs) are the initial anti-seizure medications (ASMs) for children with GCSE, but nearly a third of cases are not controlled by (Bzs). Moreover, about 40% of cases not responding to BZs are not controlled by second-line ASMs.

Ketogenic diet (KD) has been classically used for treating children with drug resistant epilepsy. Recently, KD has been used for refractory and super refractory status epilepticus. However, KD takes time to achieve ketosis and may be practically challenging in emergency situations and critically ill patients. Exogenous ketone esters (EKE) could be a more convenient and rapid way to achieve ketosis in acute settings.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Refractory Generalized convulsive status epilepticus.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Failure to obtain informed consent.
• Recent intake of exogenous ketones, ketogenic diet, or any dietary restrictions/modifications.
• Hemodynamic or cardio-respiratory instability.
• Traumatic brain injury.
• Hypo-/hyperglycemia.
• Metabolic acidosis.
• Ketosis (βHB > 2 mmol/L).
• Associated severe disease condition, including hepatic, renal, respiratory, cardiac, gastrointestinal, endocrinal, and immune systems.
• Malnutrition/obesity.
• Limitations to nasogastric tube feeding.
• Inborn errors of metabolism.
• Allergies or any other contraindication to exogenous ketone esters.
• Current or recent (within the last 24 hours) propofol therapy.
• Intake of carbonic-anhydrase inhibitors.