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Medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet is effective for treatment of an adult with super-refractory status epilepticus: a case report and literature review

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 73, pages 1594–1597 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background

The ketogenic diet (KD) has been shown to be effective in controlling super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) in adult. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no previous report of the MCT KD in adult with SRSE.

Case report

A 19-year-old female was hospitalized due to SRSE from autoimmune encephalitis despite pulsed methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, and eight antiepileptic drug treatments. The MCT KD treatment was initiated and rapid seizure control was observed within 6 days despite negative ketosis.

Conclusion

We report the first successful treatment with MCT KD in a female adult with SRSE who was refractory to classic KD with severe hypertriglyceridemia, and reviewed all SE adults with KD treatment. Dramatic seizure control without positive ketosis might lead to a new focus on fatty acids instead, paving the way for further prospective study regarding the effects of the MCT KD in this fatal condition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Thaninee Prasoppokakorn

  2. Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Suda Jirasakuldej

  3. Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Suda Jirasakuldej

  4. Division of Clinical Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Narisorn Lakananurak

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  1. Thaninee Prasoppokakorn
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Correspondence to Narisorn Lakananurak.

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Prasoppokakorn, T., Jirasakuldej, S. & Lakananurak, N. Medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet is effective for treatment of an adult with super-refractory status epilepticus: a case report and literature review. Eur J Clin Nutr 73, 1594–1597 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-019-0471-4

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