The Ketogenic Diet is a carefully calculated diet, high in fat, low
in protein, and virtually carbohydrate-free which is used for the
treatment of difficult-to-control seizures in children. This diet was
first formulated in the early 1920's and has proven to be very
effective. However, many centers stopped using the diet to control
seizures as new medications were developed. We have continued to use
the ketogenic diet at Johns Hopkins and have refined the methodology
to produce a text and a computer disc which enables families to
calculate the diet more easily.

The diet is a medical therapy and should be used only under the
careful supervision of a physician and/or dietician. The diet
carefully controls caloric input and requires that the child eat only
what has been included in the calculations to provide 90% of the
day's calories as fats. The diet is currently offered only to
children and adolescents although protocols are being planned for
adults.

Families interested in learning more about the Ketogenic diet may
contact the Charlie Foundation for Pediatric Epilepsy (1-800-367-
5386) to obtain a copy of a free videotape about the diet. A book
entitled "The Epilepsy Diet Treatment: An Introduction to the
Ketogenic Diet" may be purchased from Demos Publications, 386 Park
Avenue South, Suite 210, New York, NY 10076 (1-800-532-8663). If
after reviewing this information, a family wishes to have their child
considered for the Ketogenic diet, we suggest requesting the child's
physician to write us a letter summarizing the case. We will then
decide if more information would be appropriate and will contact the
family. Correspondence should be sent to:
This worked for my son when he was still an infant and showed signs
of seizures...I didn't want him to suffer like I had...Drs had told
me I had a 1 in 3 chance of having a child with a seizure sdisorder
and he was my 3rd child...he is happty and healthy today 3 years
later!!!!

The Pediatric Epilepsy Center
Meyer 2-147
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
600 N. Wolfe Street
Baltimore, MD 21287-7247

Families who are using or are about to initiate the diet through
other centers may wish to purchase The Ketogenic Diet Computer disc
that is designed to assist dieticians planning new ketogenic diets
and to help parents who wish to make a change their child's meal
plans. This is a Windows based program requiring at least an IBM
compatible 386 machine. The cost for the disc for dieticians is $150
and $75 for parents. To order, send the cost of the disc plus a $5
handling fee to: The Ketogenic Diet Program, c/o Epilepsy Association
of Maryland, 300 East Joppa Road, Suite 1103, Towson, Maryland 21286-
3018 (410-828-7700).