Dallas
214-456-2768
Fax: 214-456-6898
Plano
469-303-0055
Fax: 469-303-0655
The ketogenic (keto) diet that you’ve seen on TV or the internet is nothing like the ketogenic diet we give to children with epilepsy or metabolic conditions. Since 2005, Children’s Health℠ has treated hundreds of children who follow this strict diet to help reduce their seizures. We offer medical support, psychological support, social activities, recipes and parent-support groups to help make sure your child lives as normal a life as possible while on this diet.
214-456-2768
Fax: 214-456-6898
469-303-0055
Fax: 469-303-0655
The ketogenic diet can be given by mouth, through a gastrostomy tube (if your child has trouble feeding themselves) or through a combination of the two. With this medically supervised diet, 90% of the calories are obtained from fat. Every meal is calculated, weighed and measured.
On a typical diet, our cells break down carbohydrates (sugars) to fuel the cells of our body and our brain.
By restricting carbohydrates on the ketogenic diet, the body must break down fats to create energy for the body. This process creates ketones, which are used very efficiently by the brain as a source of energy. It also creates other mechanisms that help control seizures. On the ketogenic diet, blood sugar levels are also at lower levels, which may help with inflammation and a reduction in seizures.
Typically, children stay on this diet for two years, assuming they tolerate it well.
The ketogenic diet isn’t for everyone. We also offer two other diet options for children based on their needs.
There are three key benefits of the ketogenic diet:
Here are four of the more common possible side effects:
The ketogenic diet doesn’t always work for every child. If the diet isn’t significantly reducing your child’s seizures after about three months, we’ll take your child off it. We throughly screen – with a detailed history and blood work – to make sure your child is a good candidate for the ketogenic diet.
Here’s why:
Since 2005, we’ve treated more than 300 children on the ketogenic diet. Before the diet starts, there’s no way of knowing who will be successful and who won’t be.
Here’s a look at the results we’ve seen:
Our team of epileptologists, dietitians, nurse practitioners, the kitchen staff at Children’s Health and the pharmacy team all work together to make sure the ketogenic diet is right for you and your family.
Because this is a medically supervised diet, your child has to be referred to our epilepsy program. We want to see if they are a good candidate for the diet. You’ll learn more about the ketogenic diet from the epileptologist and dietician during the first appointment. Then, we’ll do blood work to make sure your child is safe to start the ketogenic diet. This includes making sure they don’t have a metabolic issue, like a problem breaking down fat.
During this appointment, we’ll assess for:
Next, we’ll bring your child into the hospital for four to five days. Every day, we will:
You’ll have weekly check-ins with our dietitian and nurse the first week after your child is out of the hospital. You will also have frequent clinic appointments for the first three months. Typically, once your child has been on the ketogenic diet for two to three months, we’ll be able to tell how well the diet is working.
The specifics of your child's ketogenic diet will change over time as we:
Each day you will have to:
We gradually reintroduce your child to a more typical diet after two years. Some children, though, will stay on the diet for much longer. The decrease in seizures that your child had while on the ketogenic diet may continue even after they return to a more typical diet.
We’ll help prepare you and your child for the changes that come with the ketogenic diet. We coach children on what to say if someone offers them food that’s not on the ketogenic diet (“I’m on a magic diet” works well). Fun, smaller dishes may help adjust to the smaller amount of food they’ll eat on the diet.
You’ll need the support of your whole family for the diet to be successful. We’ll give you plenty of customized recipes, educational material and get you connected to other families who can help. We’ll do frequent check-ins and lab work during the first three months to make sure everything is going OK. We’re always here to answer any questions you have.
Any personal care items that have carbohydrates can be absorbed in the mouth or through the skin. This includes toothpaste, lotions, certain medications, sunscreen and baby wipes. We will provide a list of items that are ketogenic-friendly.
Yes. For some children, anti-seizure medication doesn’t work. If that’s the case, the ketogenic diet can be an alternative way of reducing seizures. However, since this is a medically supervised diet, your child has to be referred to our epilepsy practice to see if they are a good candidate for it.