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The high fat, low carbohydrate ketogenic diet has been managed through the Pediatric Epilepsy team at Johns Hopkins since its beginnings in the 1920s. We are the premiere center in the world for clinical and research expertise regarding the ketogenic diet, having enrolled hundreds of children on the ketogenic diet and the modified Atkins diet.
After medical review to determine if it is an appropriate treatment, we admit approximately four children for the diet monthly. Patients ranging from infants to adolescents are admitted for a four-day period during which the diet is started and education provided. We are also actively investigating and using the modified Atkins diet for epilepsy in clinical trials for both children and adults.
The modified Atkins diet can be used successfully for adults and can be started at Johns Hopkins through our Adult Epilepsy Diet Center. At this time, we are not starting adults on the traditional ketogenic diet. Learn more about our Adult Epilepsy Diet Center program.
In many ways, the ketogenic diet is as much an art as a science. Recognizing that "fine tuning" the ketogenic diet and modified Atkins diet can be experience-based, we do offer single, 1-hour long, second opinion visits to families of children in other ketogenic diet centers. This request must also come from the ketogenic diet neurologist in charge, who will continue to manage the child after the second opinion, and all medical records must be sent in advance. For more information, contact The Ketogenic Diet Center at 410-955-4259.
We offer both 2-week trainings in the ketogenic and modified Atkins diet for international hospitals who wish to start a ketogenic diet center for a fee. In these trainings, both the child neurologist and dietitian must attend. In addition, for centers already with ketogenic diet expertise, we welcome visits to our monthly ketogenic diet follow-up clinics.
For more information about the Ketogenic Diet Center or to consult with a doctor, request an appointment at the Epilepsy Center.
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Pediatric Neurosurgery: 410-955-7337
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