Efficacy and safety of the ketogenic diet therapy in Pakistani children with refractory epilepsy

OBJECTIVE: To find the effectiveness and tolerability of ketogenic diet (KD) for Pakistani children with refractory epilepsy. METHODS: This study was conducted at Child Neurology Department, Children's Hospital & Institute Health Multan, Pakistan. Data diagnosed patients epilepsy, not responding to ≥2 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), were well-tolerated, adequately utilized received KD treatment from 2017 2020 retrieved analyzed. analyzed through SPSS-23. RESULTS: Fifty-five children, including 18 (32.7%) girls 37 (67.3%) boys, underwent initiation phase. Forty (72.7%) >2 AEDs. Fifteen (27.3%) had >17 months’ duration Type epilepsy undetermined in 25 (45.5%) cases, 14 (25.5%) epileptic syndrome 8 (14.5%) progressive myoclonic Spasm (n=19, (34.5%), tonic (n=14; 25.5%) tonic-clonic (n=7; 12.7%) commonest types seizures. Out 55 patients, 51 (92.7%), 39 (70.9%) 24 (43.6%) continued CD three, six twelve months respectively. Seizure-free status achieved 29.4% (n=15/51), 28.2% (n=11/39) 25% (n=6/24) cases While >75% reduction seizures observed 31.4% (n=16 /51), 33.4% (n=13/39) 29.1% (n=7/24) Common side effects included anorexia (n=30/55; 54.55%), diarrhea (n=12; 21.82%), kidney stones 12.73%), other like constipation, hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis gravel (n=6, 10.91%). CONCLUSION: combined gradual commencement approaches is safe effective therapy