JOIN USNow, epilepsy can be controlled in children through more flexible diets if carried out under medical supervision.
It is difficult to control epilepsy with anti-epileptic drugs (AED) in around 25-30 per cent of cases.
These children are usually kept under rigorous diet therapy by hospitals.
This type of diet, commonly known as ketogenic diet, consists of low carbohydrates, restricted proteins and high fats.
“In this diet, all the dietary elements are calculated in proportion. A ketogenic diet is specific to an individual child and requires extensive counselling of the family who has to be aware of what kind of diet the child would be given,” said Sandhya Pandey, chief nutritionist, Fortis Memorial Research Institute.
However, not only is a ketogenic diet difficult to maintain over a long period of time but it also has its shortcomings. Patients often suffer from vomiting, constipation, behavioural and growth problems. “If a ketogenic diet continues for a long time, children find it unpalatable and families difficult to comply,” said Dr Atul Prasad, senior consultant and director, department of neurology, BLK Super Specialty Hospital.
To provide patients with an alternative option, AIIMS is conducting a study in which some patients are being given ketogenic diet while others are being supplied with modified Atkins diet (MAD) in an open randomised basis.
This will allow families to provide children with a more flexible diet which will not inhibit their growth.
“With research, there is the alternative option of MAD, which is less restrictive than a ketogenic diet. The advantage of MAD is that it allows unlimited protein and fat and does not restrict calorie or fluids,” said Dr Sheffali Gulati, professor of paediatrics, chief of child neurology division, department of paediatrics, AIIMS.
AIIMS sees some 3,600 patients with epilepsy every year; 750 cases of these have intractable epilepsy, which is difficult to control with only drugs. Patients who are given ketogenic diet have to hospitalised and their families have to be counselled.
With MAD, the counselling time for families reduces. “Families do not have to be briefed on the tedious calculations of a diet,” said Dr Gulati.
Children on this diet are given supplements of multi-vitamins and calcium. Achieving results in a child who eats vegetarian food remains a challenge with this diet. “They are given soya products, milk and cheese,” said Dr Gulati.