P.077 Response to the ketogenic diet in refractory epileptic spasms at BC Children’s Hospital

Abstract

Background: Epileptic spasms (ES) are a devastating seizure type with poor neurodevelopmental outcome; 1/3 are resistant to treatment with first line therapies. Recently attention has been drawn to the ketogenic diet (KD) as a potentially effective therapy, though data regarding optimal time of initiation, and its sustained effectiveness, are lacking. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all patients with ES treated with KD at BC Children’s Hospital between 2002 and 2020 (n=28) with comparison of spasm response based on age of initiation of KD in two groups: < 12 months (n=11) and ≥ 12 months (n=17). Results: Comparing the <12 months and ≥ 12 months groups showed: unknown etiology in 9% vs 25%; spasm freedom for 3 months on KD in 18% vs 41%; median time to spasm freedom was 2 vs 6 weeks; relapse after a period of spasm freedom occurred in 66% vs 70%. Conclusions: Although more effective in children ≥ 12 months of age in the first 3 months, spasm freedom in either group was not sustained with KD. KD is recommended as early therapy for refractory ES, but this study suggests clinicians be aware the KD has limited efficacy in long-term control of ES and must be used with other therapies.