K. Ballaban-Gil, C. Callahan, C. O'Dell, M. Pappo, S. Moshé and S. Shinnar (1998). Complications of the ketogenic diet. Epilepsia, 39(7), 744-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1157.1998.tb01160.x

PubMed 9670903

[Abstract]
PURPOSE: The ketogenic diet has been successfully used in treatment of pediatric epilepsy for >70 years. Few serious complications caused by the diet have been reported. We report complications that have been experienced by children receiving the ketogenic diet.

METHODS: In a 22-month period, we treated 52 children with the classic ketogenic diet and monitored them in a prospective manner.

RESULTS: Five children (10%) experienced serious adverse events (AE) after initiation of the diet. Four patients (80%) were treated with valproate (VPA) in addition to the diet, as compared with 25 (53%) of the other 47 children. Two patients developed severe hypoproteinemia within 4 weeks of initiation of the diet, and 1 of them also developed lipemia and hemolytic anemia. A third child developed Fanconi's renal tubular acidosis within 1 month of diet initiation. Two other children manifested marked increases in liver function tests, 1 during the initiation phase and the other 13 months later.

CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians who wish to use the ketogenic diet must be aware of the potential of serious AE and possible interactions of the diet with VPA.