Use of the Atkins Diet for Children With Intractable Epilepsy: A Comparison of Daily Carbohydrate Limits

Johns Hopkins University30 enrolled

Overview

This study is designed to further investigate the use of a modified Atkins diet for children with intractable, daily seizures. It is a follow-up to a study recently completed by our institution. In this 6-month study, children will be randomized to either 10 or 20 grams of carbohydrate per day, then crossed over to the opposite amount at 3 months.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Epilepsy

Interventions

Modified Atkins dietBEHAVIORAL

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 3 YearsMax age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Ages 3-18 * Daily seizures or 7 per week * Failed at least 2 anticonvulsants Exclusion Criteria: * Prior use of the Atkins diet for over 1 week * Significant heart, liver, or kidney disease

Locations (1)

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Seizure control

Time frame: 6 months

Ketosis

Time frame: 6 months

Secondary Outcomes

Tolerability

Time frame: 6 months

Safety - cholesterol, kidney function, weight

Time frame: 6 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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