The ketogenic diet for the treatment of pediatric status epilepticus

Background Refractory status epilepticus carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality for children. Traditional treatment of status epilepticus consists of multiple anticonvulsant drugs and, if needed, induction of a medical coma. The ketogenic diet has been used for intractable epilepsy for many years. The purpose of this article is to report a case series of five patients with refractory status epilepticus successfully managed with the ketogenic diet. Methods A summary of pediatric patients with refractory status epilepticus treated with diet was performed. Conclusions Ketogenic diet therapy should be considered as a treatment option in pediatric patients with refractory status epilepticus.