Ketogenic diet therapy service
SPECIALIST TREATMENT FOR PAEDIATRIC INTRACTABLE EPILEPSY
A treatment plan option for children aged 0-18 with intractable epilepsy
What is Ketogenic diet?
The ketogenic diet is highly effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of seizures in children with epilepsy, regardless of seizure type or epilepsy syndrome. It is easy to adapt for different cultural needs, food allergies, texture modified diets and tube feeding. The aim of the diet is to manage seizures in children with intractable epilepsy.
NICE guidelines (April 2022) state that a ketogenic diet should be considered for children with childhood-onset epilepsy syndromes, such as GLUT 1 deficiency, epilepsy associated with Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency, infantile spasms, or following two failed trials of anti-seizure medications.
Need to know
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What is the ketogenic diet? icon plus
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. When carbohydrate intake is lowered, the body uses fat as its primary fuel source. Fats are converted into free fatty acids and ketone bodies, which help fuel the skeletal muscles and brain. -
How does the service work? icon plus
Our ketogenic diet therapy service is offered as an inpatient or outpatient treatment. The treatment plan will be tailored to your child’s age and dietary needs.
Our expert multidisciplinary team will be available to meet the needs of your child while they begin the diet and during their ketogenic journey. This team includes a paediatrician, two specialist ketogenic dietitians, a lead consultant paediatric neurologist and our highly experienced clinical nurse specialist.
Whether your child is receiving treatment as an inpatient or outpatient, you can rest assured they’ll receive the highest-quality care with expert neurologic and dietary input every step of the way.
Our consultants
Dr Maria Kinali, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist
Email: paediatricneurology@drkinali.com
Tel: 07581 046963
Nina Brierley, Clinical Lead Dietitian
Email: therapies@hcahealthcare.co.uk
Tel: 07500 332377
Our locations
Enquiries and referrals
For more information about the ketogenic diet therapy service at The Portland Hospital, please email us.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.