Medical costs are reduced when children with intractable epilepsy are successfully treated with the ketogenic diet

Journal of the American Dietetic Association
Alicia MandelLinda H Clemens

Abstract

The ketogenic diet is used for children with drug refractory epilepsies. Although this diet was developed early in the 20th century, its use was infrequent until recently. One of the concerns about the ketogenic diet is the cost of initiating the diet. The process generally involves an inpatient visit that can last several days. In this study, the health care costs for 15 children with drug refractory epilepsy who received their care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center were compared for the period of time 6 to 12 months before they began the ketogenic diet and 6 to 12 months after they began the ketogenic diet. All comparisons within each child were done on the same amount of time before and after initiation of the diet. Total costs affiliated with care for the 15 children were: $352,820.20 for the prediet period, $41,221.91 for the diet initiation, and $149,436.86 for the postdiet-initiation period. We conclude that successful maintenance on the ketogenic diet provides a substantial financial benefit.

Associated Clinical Trials

Jul 14, 2015·Ryan Lee, MD

References

Nov 1, 1995·Journal of Child Neurology·J W Wheless
Nov 1, 1996·Journal of the American Dietetic Association·S F Edelstein, M Chisholm
Mar 21, 1998·Journal of the American Dietetic Association·J Carroll, D Koenigsberger
Apr 9, 1998·The Annals of Pharmacotherapy·K B TallianC Y Tsao
Nov 21, 1998·Archives of Neurology·E P ViningJ W Wheless
Aug 28, 1999·Pediatric Neurology·A M HassanP Humphreys
Dec 28, 1999·Journal of the American Dietetic Association·K A MacCracken, J C Scalisi
Dec 28, 1999·Journal of the American Dietetic Association·S C CouchA R DeFelice

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 4, 2005·BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine·Patricia M HermanOpher Caspi
Nov 9, 2011·Seminars in Pediatric Neurology·Sarah A Kelley, Adam L Hartman
Jan 24, 2007·Epilepsia·Adam L Hartman, Eileen P G Vining
May 22, 2010·Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics : the Official Journal of the British Dietetic Association·K Lord, G Magrath
May 2, 2003·Nutritional Neuroscience·Carl E Stafstrom, Kristopher J Bough
Jul 4, 2015·Pediatric Neurology·Michael S OldhamShannon Standridge
Dec 13, 2006·Seizure : the Journal of the British Epilepsy Association·Emma J FrewStirling Bryan
Oct 19, 2016·Epilepsy Research and Treatment·Husam R KayyaliAhmed Abdelmoity
Nov 27, 2008·Nutrition in Clinical Practice : Official Publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition·Beth A Zupec-Kania, Emily Spellman
Jan 4, 2017·The Journal of Dermatological Treatment·Daren A FominJonathan Crane
Feb 8, 2005·PharmacoEconomics·Ettore BeghiLivio Garattini
Jan 9, 2007·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition·Nicholas J Krilanovich
Aug 2, 2005·Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B·Madeline E RhodesCheryl A Frye

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.