Ketogenic Diet Service

The Ketogenic Diet Service focuses on a diet for children whose seizures cannot be controlled by medication, or for whom the side effects of medication are unacceptable. The ketogenic diet causes the body to burn fat for energy, and this produces chemicals called ketones. Ketones can help prevent or lessen seizures. During treatment, the child stays in our inpatient unit for 3 to 5 days to begin the diet. Staff from Pediatric Neurology at the Children's Hospital of Iowa will also see the child. After the child returns home, we provide follow-up and support through outpatient visits and phone calls.