modified atkins diet for intractable childhood epilepsy

objective the aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a modified atkins diet for intractable childhood epilepsy. materials & methods twenty one children with medically intractable epilepsy were enrolled in the study. inclusion criteria were at least four seizures per month and a trial of at least three anticonvulsants without becoming seizure-free. the subjects received the diet over a 6-month period. results three months after diet initiation, 15 patients (71.4%) remained on the diet and 12 (57.1%) had >50% seizure reduction. eleven patients (52.4%) completed the 6-month study and 8 (38.1%) chose to remain on the diet afterward. at 6 months, 9 patients (42.8%) had >50% seizure reduction. the diet was more effective in cryptogenic epilepsy (p=0.032). most complications were transient and successfully managed by careful follow-up and conservative strategies. conclusion the modified atkins diet is an effective and well- tolerated therapy for intractable childhood epilepsy.