Thread by @KetoCounselor

I don't usually talk about pediatrics. But I know some of you are trying to learn all the ways a loved one (and therefore yourself) can feel better. 🧵 #parents (1/22)

So let's take a look at the increases in adaptive behavior these kiddos experienced using a ketogenic diet for epilepsy! (2/22)

This study looked at seizure control in a pediatric population using the ketogenic diet. No surprise, the outcome was great. We already know it is super helpful for pediatric epilepsy. What I want to post about is the adaptive behavioral assessment outcomes! (3/22)

They used the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS). A standardized assessment tool used to measure adaptive behavior, or the ability to function independently and perform daily living skills. (4/22)

The VABS is comprised of a series of structured interviews or questionnaires that evaluate an individual's adaptive behavior in several domains, including communication, daily living skills, socialization, and motor skills. (5/22)

Any parent that lives with and loves a child with developmental issues knows that increases in adaptive behaviors are hard-won and highly coveted outcomes for everyone involved! (6/22)

The objective of this study was to highlight KD benefits for Ain Shams University (ASU) Children’s Hospital patients and was a cross-sectional study included all patients at the Ketoclinic of ASU Children’s Hospital since it started! (7/22)

Let's talk about the population in the study. Because context matters! (8/22)

84% were diagnosed as having forms of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), 30% had global developmental delay, 10.5% had cerebral palsy, 7.7% had glucose transporter 1 defect, 3.5% had post-meningitis sequel, 3.5% had post encephalitis sequel, ... (9/22)

2.8% had neurodegenerative diseases, 2.1% had mitochondrial diseases, 2.8% had tuberous sclerosis and 2.8% were diagnosed as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. All serious neurological conditions with serious ramifications for functioning. (10/22)

How long were these kids on a ketogenic diet? Well, it varied. 11% of patients were on the diet for one month or less
25% for 1-3 months
18% for 3-6 months
13% for 6-12 months
20% for 12-24 months
13% for more than 24 months. (11/22)

The study found that compliance increased over time, and among those who stopped the diet, 58% were compliant, while 42% were non-compliant. Among those still on the diet, 86% were compliant, while 14% were non-compliant. (12/22)

What were the effects on adaptive behavior? You can read them in the study or carry on with this thread! ⬇️ (13/22) nature.com/articles/s4159…

Vineland test results of the series of studied patients showed that 65% of them had a statistically significant increase in adaptive behaviors after using the KD. Read that again. Take a moment to imagine the improvement in the quality of life for the families involved. (14/22)

The authors go on to say that this result didn't surprise them. Why? Because it's what they find elsewhere in the literature. They go on to cite the studies, which I will provide for you here as mostly a cut-and-paste. (15/22)

Similarly, in 2001, Pulsifer and collaborators used the Child Behavior Checklist to assess behavioral and emotional problems in 65 pediatric patients with DRE after 1 year of KD therapy and ... (16/22)

reported that their mean developmental quotient showed statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05), with significant behavioral improvements in attention and social functioning. (17/22) cambridge.org/core/journals/…

Garcias-Penas reported that KD's positive neurocognitive and behavioral effect in pediatric patients with epilepsy in aspects of mood, alertness and activity level, sustained attention, and reciprocal social interaction. ⬇️(18/22)

GARCÍA-PEÑAS, J. J. (2018). Epilepsia, cognición y dieta cetogénica-Epilepsy, cognition and ketogenic diet. (not online) (19/22)

In 2016 Wu and collaborators reported that there was a positive correlation between increased cognition and the efficacy of a KD after 3 months. (20/22) epilepsybehavior.com/article/S1525-…

van Berkel et al., conducted a systematic overview and reported that cognitive improvements are frequently reported during KD treatment in the domains of alertness, attention, and global cognition. (21/22) epilepsybehavior.com/article/S1525-…

Parents should be allowed to know that a ketogenic diet can improve adaptive behaviors in children with developmental issues, as shown in this and the many studies cited in this thread. They deserve to know all the ways they and their family can feel better. (22/22)