Ketogenic Diet for New-Onset Absence Epilepsy
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phasePhase 3
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age3-12
SponsorJohns Hopkins University
About this trial
The ketogenic diet is a medical therapy for epilepsy that is used nearly predominantly for refractory epilepsy (after 2-3 drugs have been tried and failed). However, there is both published evidence for first-line use (infantile spasms, Glut1 deficiency syndrome) and also anecdotal experience (families choosing to change the child's (or the family' own) diet rather than use anticonvulsant medications). Childhood absence epilepsy (refractory) has been published as being responsive to ketogenic diet therapy by the investigators' group previously. This is a small, prospective, 3 month trial to assess if using a modified Atkins diet is a feasible and effective option for new-onset childhood absence epilepsy. The investigators will compare to a group of children in which the parents have declined and chose to start anticonvulsant medications.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Children ages 3-12 years at seizure onset with classic childhood absence epilepsy clinically.
Normal intellect or mild disability
EEG with confirmed 3/second spike-wave discharges, usually with hyperventilation
Daily reported absence seizures.
Disqualifiers
Previous treatment with any anticonvulsant drug
Previous use of a ketogenic dietary therapy for epilepsy or any other condition
Glut1 deficiency syndrome
Metabolic disorder known that would preclude dietary therapy
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Modified Atkins Diet
- Absence epilepsy medications
Treatment groups
40 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsSponsors and collaborators
Source ClinicalTrials.gov