Intractable pediatric epilepsy: vagal nerve stimulation and the ketogenic diet

The KD has been proven an effective alternative epilepsy treatment in children refractory to standard anticonvulsants. Children to be placed on the diet must be carefully selected, monitored, and followed. The diet is to be regarded as a strict medical regimen and requires a comprehensive medical team approach in concert with intensive parental involvement. With better understanding of the scientific principles underlying brain ketosis, we should be able to optimize the KD to achieve even better results.