Abstract
Background The ketogenic diet is a non-pharmacologic treatment option for children with drug-resistant epilepsy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of the ketogenic diet on seizures frequency in children. Methods We reviewed the literature using Cochrane, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and highly qualified journals. Randomized controlled trials were chosen to investigate the seizures-free regime or at least 50% seizures reduction after three months from the starting of the ketogenic diet or earlier. We have selected articles from January 2011 to January 2020. Results Eight articles were eligible. The data show a significant reduction in seizure frequency in the dietary treatment pediatric population. The rate of a seizures-free regime or at least 50% seizures reduction was 48.31% of patients in the intervention group. Our overall meta-analysis underlined the significant efficacy. The KD group is 5.6 times more likely than the control group to have a 50% reduction of seizures after three months of the diet or earlier. QUADAS and AMSTAR assessments showed a low risk of bias and adequate accuracy. Conclusion The results show that the KD reduces seizure frequency in children with drug-refractory epilepsy. KD is an effective treatment option for children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy.
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