Myoclonic-Astatic Epilepsy in Early Childhood (MAE)

                 

    (Doose Syndrome)
 
 

 

 

  

  

 
The ketogenic diet (KGD)

The Ketogenic diet (KGD) is a carefully calculated diet, high in fat, low in protein, and virtually carbohydrate-free which is used for the treatment of difficult-to-control seizures in children. This diet was first formulated in the early 1920s and has proven to be very effective, especially for myoclonic epilepsies which are often refractory to medications.

The diet must be administered under supervision of a medical doctor and qualified dietician. The diet carefully controls caloric input and requires that the child eat only what has been included in the calculations to provide up to 90% of the day's calories as fats. Under the careful supervision of a qualified dietician, the child is monitored to ensure adequate nutrition and growth. The diet is offered through many paediatric hospitals and epilepsy centres throughout the world.  

For a child who has repeatedly failed medication attempts and then achieved seizure-control with the KGD, the results can be phenomenal and almost seem miraculous.

Many children with MAE have had tremendous success with the ketogenic diet and it is now regarded by leading treating neurologists as one of the most effective anti-epileptic treatments for this disorder which is typically resistant to medications. Based on so many success stories that we, as a group, have witnessed, the important message to convey to parents new to MAE is that the ketogenic diet should be considered as a realistic treatment, not a last resort, and ideally earlier in the diagnosis if first-line treatments have failed. If a child with MAE has failed first-line medications and/or has shown a sensitivity or intolerance to medications, then the ketogenic diet is certainly worthy of serious consideration.

Findings on the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in treating MAE were reported in 2005. Dr Laux and associates, from Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, retrospectively analysed the records of 10 children with MAE who received the ketogenic diet. Of these 10 children, 7 either became seizure-free or experienced a greater than 90% seizure reduction, and the remaining 3 children had a greater than 50% seizure reduction. This study showed that patients with MAE are highly responsive to the effects of the ketogenic diet. (Refer to Medscape - view article 496929.)¨

u See also What's worked - ketogenic diet

How the ketognic diet (KGD) works

The KGD's success rate & what's worked for our children

Frequently asked questions (FAQS)

Getting ready for the KGD

Resources

(HEADINGS NOT YET PUBLISHED)

Sample meals

Initiation of the diet & different protocols

Diet supervision - monitoring health & wellbeing

Fine tuning the KGD

Risks, adverse implications & drug interactions

Versions of KGD (plus Atkins for seizure control)

20 good reasons to try the KGD



 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

     

 Ketogenic diet

 Medications (AEDs)

 Benzodiazepines

 Paradoxical seizures

 Steroid therapy / ACTH

 IVIg

 Vagus Nerve Stimulation

 Alternative therapies

 Emergencies

 

 

 
 

Hamish had struggled with seizure control for over four years until he became seizure-free on the KGD. He loves helping his mum and dad prepare his meals every Saturday afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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