The ketogenic diet in the treatment of refractory epilepsy

Two thirds of people with epilepsy can control their seizures with an anticonvulsant medication. Others must turn to other treatment options such as ketogenic nutritional therapy. This consists of a high-fat, adequate-protein and low-carbohydrate regime. It requires close medical follow-up because it is not without adverse effects, but also a follow-up by a nutritionist because meal preparation is complex and laborious.

The objective of this state of knowledge report is to document the efficacy and safety of the ketogenic diet in order to support the deliberation on whether to include ketogenic nutritional formulas in the List of Medications for the public prescription drug insurance plan so that they would be covered for children with refractory epilepsy.

See also the guidance for the ministry