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Nutrition Interventions for Children with Special Health Care Needs

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Chapter 22 - Ketogenic Diet <strong>for</strong> Seizure Disorders<br />

Assessment Intervention Evaluation/Outcome<br />

Blood glucose levels remain <strong>with</strong>in<br />

acceptable limits <strong>with</strong>out symptoms<br />

of hypoglycemia.<br />

Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia is common and does not require treatment.<br />

Symptomatic hypoglycemia is very rare when initiating the diet<br />

<strong>with</strong>out a fasting period. Hypoglycemia may not occur until the<br />

second or third day of the diet initiation when using a non-fasting<br />

start.<br />

Symptoms include:<br />

• Pallor and fatigue<br />

• Nausea<br />

• Excess drowsiness<br />

• Diaphoresis<br />

• Confusion<br />

• Seizures<br />

• Jitteriness<br />

• Tachycardia<br />

Symptomatic hypoglycemia should be treated. 11 Usually 15-30 mLs of<br />

orange juice is given.<br />

Effects of medications Some anticonvulsants (especially barbiturates, e.g., phenobarbital)<br />

can have an increase in medication level when a state of ketosis is<br />

present. 15<br />

254 <strong>Nutrition</strong> <strong>Interventions</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Children</strong> With <strong>Special</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Care</strong> <strong>Needs</strong><br />

Medication levels remain <strong>with</strong>in the<br />

therapeutic ranges.<br />

Chronic Effects<br />

Serum triglyceride and cholesterol<br />

in acceptable range. Slight elevation<br />

is acceptable. Evaluate if trending<br />

upward if previously stable.<br />

Hyperlipidemia No long-term cardiovascular side effects are known. If triglyceride<br />

levels are constantly rising and do not subside, the risk of<br />

complications versus the benefit of the diet must be considered.<br />

Phenobarbitol can increase serum triglycerides.<br />

Child receives adequate amounts of<br />

vitamins and minerals.<br />

Vitamin or mineral deficiency All patients should be given a sugarless multivitamin/ mineral<br />

and calcium supplement. The diet is inadequate <strong>for</strong> most vitamins<br />

and minerals. Anticonvulsant medication-nutrient interactions are<br />

common. See Chapter 5 <strong>for</strong> specific assessment and intervention<br />

guidelines.<br />

Growth should be plotted at each<br />

follow-up visit.<br />

Growth Some slowing in growth may occur on the diet. Catch-up growth is<br />

likely when the diet is discontinued.

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