ketogenic diet
Pronunciation: kee-toh-JEN-ik
A high-fat, low-carbohydrate therapeutic diet used to treat medically refractory epilepsy in children.
Full Definition
The ketogenic diet is a medical therapy consisting of high fat (80-90%), adequate protein, and very low carbohydrate content designed to mimic the metabolic state of fasting. The diet forces the body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates, producing ketones that have anticonvulsant properties. In pediatric epilepsy, the ketogenic diet is typically considered when two or more antiepileptic medications have failed to control seizures. The diet requires careful medical supervision, precise meal planning, and regular monitoring of growth, nutritional status, and potential side effects including kidney stones, constipation, and lipid abnormalities. Success rates for seizure reduction are approximately 50% in children with refractory epilepsy. Variants include the modified Atkins diet and low glycemic index treatment.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify medical supervision when discussing ketogenic diet therapy; distinguish from commercial ketogenic diets.
In Context
- "The ketogenic diet was initiated after the third antiepileptic medication failed to control the child's seizures." — Treatment planning
- "Laboratory monitoring on the ketogenic diet showed mild elevation in cholesterol levels requiring dietary adjustment." — Follow-up care