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The Influence of Ketogenic Diet on Liver Function in Children and Adolescents With Intractable Epilepsy Publisher



Rezaei S1, 2 ; Kavoosi M1 ; Badv RS3 ; Mohammadi M3 ; Zamani GR3 ; Ashrafi MR3 ; Yekaninejad MS4 ; Mahmoudi M1, 5, 6
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Cellular Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Paediatrics Centre of Excellence, Department of Paediatric Neurology, Children's Medical Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Dietetics and Nutrition Experts Team (DiNET), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran

Source: Journal of Comprehensive Pediatrics Published:2017


Abstract

Background: High-fat content and carbohydrate restriction of the ketogenic diet (KD) increases the workload of some organs, especially the liver. Moreover, most of the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are metabolized in the liver; therefore, the function of the liver could be influenced during the treatment with KD. This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of the ketogenic diet on liver function. Methods: A prospective, open-label study was carried out. A total of 28 patients with intractable epilepsy initiated the diet. All patients were children and adolescentswhodid not respond to at least 2 AEDs. Liver function tests including Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were analyzed before and after 3 months on the KD. Results: Fourteen patients with the median age of 4.12 (2.31 - 9.70) years completed the study. The serum levels of ALP and AST did not differ significantly before and after 3 months on the diet (P value > 0.05). There was a significant difference in the serum level of ALT before and after 3 months of treatment (13 vrs 20, P = 0.014). Conclusions: Albeit, it seems that KD did not have any influence on the serum levels of AST and ALP; however, it had a significant effect on the serum level of ALT. More investigations with a larger sample size and longer follow-up duration are needed to approve abovementioned results. © 2017.
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