Orr E, Whitney R, Nandeesha N, Kossoff EH, RamachandranNair R. Ketogenic Diet: Parental Experiences and Expectations.
J Child Neurol 2024;
39:45-54. [PMID:
38314711 PMCID:
PMC11083737 DOI:
10.1177/08830738241227066]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The ketogenic diet may be difficult for some patients and their families to implement and can impact physical, emotional, and social well-being.
METHODS
Through principles of fundamental qualitative description, we completed an exploratory study on parents' experiences and expectations on the use and efficacy of the ketogenic diet for children with medically refractory epilepsy.
RESULTS
Seventeen parents (10 mothers and 7 fathers) of 12 children with epilepsy participated. At the time of the interview, parents had experienced an average of 25 months of ketogenic diet treatment for their child (range 2 months to 98 months). Half of the caregivers learned about the ketogenic diet from their neurologist, whereas the remainder had heard about it from another source (ie, the internet). Most caregivers' (n = 13) diet expectations were related to seizure control. However, child development (n = 5) and quality of life (n = 5) were also crucial to some. Physical impacts of the diet were most commonly gastrointestinal for children (n = 9). Social and emotional effects were noted in some older children with typical development. Most caregivers described negative impacts on finances (n = 15), relationships (n = 14), and emotional well-being (ie, stress) (n = 12). Caregivers benefited from the ketogenic diet team's regular communication, close follow-up, and family-centered care.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the impacts that the ketogenic diet may have on caregivers' emotional and social well-being, the positive impacts of the diet were felt to outweigh any perceived risks. Effects (both positive and negative) on quality of life and child development (eg, social, emotional, cognitive) are essential for caregivers and require additional investigation.
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