Long-term management of the ketogenic diet: seizure monitoring, nutrition, and supplementation

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for the treatment of epilepsy. As such, it can affect the outcome of an individual's health and chronic medical condition. The components of MNT which have been established by the American Dietetic Association as core guidelines for nutrition care include a diet history, assessment, diet therapy and a follow-up plan of care (American Dietetic Assoc 2002). We have utilized these guidelines in designing our approach to KD therapy in our pediatric population. Many of the practices described here have been adopted from our practical experience.