The Epilepsy Foundation is an awesome resource for the science and efficacy behind the affects of a Ketogenic diet on epileptic seizures.
Because children’s bodies are still in developmental phases, you need to consult with your doctor before considering placing them on any type of diet.
A Ketogenic diet has it’s challenges, and it can be particularly difficult for children. This short article addresses those challenges and potential side effects of the diet for children.
As any parent could tell you, initiating a child onto the ketogenic diet is not an easy task to undertake. Children are typically admitted for 3 or 4 days, sometimes starting with a fasting period, and their bodies change from burning carbohydrates to only fat.
For parents too, it can be a very stressful time being away from home in a hospital bed (or cot), worrying about their child, and hoping the diet is going to help stop seizures. It can be especially discouraging for a parent to watch their child experience vomiting or nausea, weakness or low blood sugar, or any other side effects during this period of diet initiation.
At Johns Hopkins we often see situations where a child has side effects
