Introduction: Quality of life is impaired in children with epilepsy and their families. There are
no published studies about the influence of ketogenic diet (KD) on the quality of
life of children with pharmacoresistant epilepsy and their families.
KD is a restrictive diet and negative effects are possible as well as positive influence
by seizure control.
We investigated the effect of the KD on the quality of life in children treated with
KD and their families.
Methods: A questionnaire for parents evaluating the influence of KD on the quality of life
of 22 children with pharmacoresistant epilepsies was developped based on published
quality of life questionnaires.
Results: Within the whole group the score increased from median (range) 0,78 (–10,00 to 3,38)
before KD to 1,32 (-2,78 to 10,00) points on KD, within the responders (n=14) from
median (range) 0,83 (-10,00 to 3,38) to 2,83 (0,50 to 10,00). In contrast, the score
within the non-responders (n=8) fell from median (range) 0,63 (–2,78 to 1,89) before
KD to –1,28 (-2,78 to 1,11) on KD. The most positive effects in the responder group
were caused by the following aspects: seizures, pain, relaxation and medication.
Conclusion: On KD, quality of life depends on seizure control. Within the non-responders, the
restrictions by the KD result in negative assessment of the quality of life by the
families.
Keywords: ketogenic diet, quality of life, pharmacoresistant epilepsy
