The implementation and maintenance of the Ketogenic Diet in children.

The Ketogenic Diet is an effective treatment for epilepsy in children. At Johns Hopkins Hospital more than 400 children have been placed on the Ketogenic Diet. The implementation and maintenance of this treatment require significant collaboration between the family and Epilepsy Team. During initiation of the diet, in the hospital, parents attend classes on the history and mechanism of the diet, preparation of meals, psychological issues, complications and the management of childhood illnesses on the ketogenic diet. Many factors are considered in calculating a ketogenic formula. Age, weight, height and activity level are the obvious factors. However, secondary medical diagnoses, medications, neurological deficits, feeding issues and psychological issues are additional factors that affect the formulation of an optimal ketogenic prescription. Once this prescription has been formulated and implemented, many patients require fine-tuning of their ketogenic diets to get the best antiepileptic results while promoting growth. We believe that our success in sustaining this treatment is related to our fine-tuning and management practices.