Families’ Perception of Classic Ketogenic Diet Management in Acute Medical Conditions: A Web-Based Survey

• Main Authors: Ludovica Pasca, Costanza Varesio, Cinzia Ferraris, Monica Guglielmetti, Claudia Trentani, Anna Tagliabue, Pierangelo Veggiotti, Valentina De Giorgis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: drug-resistant epilepsy; ketogenic diet; families’ perception of care; emergency; web-based survey
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/10/2920

<b>Objective:</b> To describe families’ experiences in managing epileptic patients undergoing ketogenic dietary therapies (KDTs) in acute medical settings. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted a short online survey addressed to the families of patients undergoing a classic ketogenic diet (cKD) for at least three months. The survey was composed of 18 questions exploring the following issues: demographic characteristics, epilepsy diagnosis, ketogenic-diet treatment history, the reason for emergency-ward admission and patient management, surgery-procedure management, and outcomes. <b>Results:</b> A sample of 50 families agreed to participate. Out of 50 patients, 33 (66%) had been undergoing a cKD for more than two years. Fifteen (30%) patients had been admitted at least once to the Emergency Room (ER), and 8.2% had undergone surgical procedures during cKD treatment. The causes of ER admission were the following: seizures, infection, trauma, and gastrointestinal or respiratory problems. In 75% of cases, blood ketonemia was not monitored during ER admission, and according to 46% of responders, the medical staff intervening did not have a basic knowledge of KDTs. <b>Conclusions:</b> According to both our experience and caregivers’ reports, it might be useful to search for standardized specific approaches to patients undergoing KDTs in the emergency setting.