Short and long-term side effects of the Classic Ketogenic Diet in pediatric epilepsy treatment: A systematic review of clinical trials

Background/objective

Classic Ketogenic Diet (CKD) is a well-known diet therapy with high fat and low carbohydrates which is used to treat children with medication-resistant epilepsy (MRE). As CKD is a restricted diet, it can cause side effects which are major reason for diet discontinuation. In this study, we aim to systematically identify and categorize these side effects by type and duration to optimize CKD use and increase adherence.

Method

This study followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and is registered in Prospero (CRD42024566216). We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for English-language clinical trials on CKD side effects in children under 18 with MRE. The last search was conducted on January 8, 2025, with no time restrictions. Side effects from 26 clinical trials were extracted, categorized as short-term (≤3 months) or long-term (>3 months), and prevalence estimated using reference populations for each side effect. We categorized side effects in nine groups: gastrointestinal (GI) issues, neurological complications, weight loss, dyslipidemia, infection, hyperuricemia, bone mineral density (BMD) decrease/osteoporosis and renal stones.

Result

In most patients, CKD does not have adverse side effects that cause diet termination and most side effects can be managed or treated to increase adherence. In the short-term, GI issues and neurological complications were most common side effects with prevalence of 49 % and 25 % respectively. In long-term GI issues still remain the most prevalent side effects with 44 % prevalence. Moreover, lower fat-to-carbohydrates ratios like 2.5:1 KD may reduce side effects but potentially compromise efficacy.

Conclusion

Most CKD side effects are treatable and transient and these results support tailored KD strategies to enhance adherence and improve epilepsy control.