Evaluation of the Knowledge Level, Practice and Attitudes of the Caregivers on Ketogenic Diet Management

Abstract

Objective: Patients with intractable childhood epilepsy may benefit from ketogenic diet treatment. Management of ketogenic diet depends on the knowledge level and practice and attitudes of their caregivers. Although advances have been made on early diagnosis and treatment options, there is still a lack of knowledge in children with epilepsy and their caregivers.

Methods: In the study, 40 voluntary individuals caring for a child with intractable childhood epilepsy who is under a ketogenic diet were included. The visual analog scale was used to determine adherence to the ketogenic diet for both caregivers and children. Dietary adherence of young children (<10 years) was assessed by the caregiver. Ketogenic diet knowledge of caregivers was determined to form with 40 questions (free/prohibited foods, meal contents, any form of carbohydrate sources, label reading, side effect awareness, and management practices).

Results: Availability of ketogenic products, feeling of hunger, frequent glucose, and ketone measurement were determined to be the most difficulties in adherence to the ketogenic diet. According to the visual analog scale results, the mean knowledge level of the caregivers was 3.55 +/- 3.67, ketogenic diet adherence was 7.52 +/- 2.40 for the caregivers, and 8.42 +/- 1.62 for the patients. 25% of the caregivers have high, 65% of them have low knowledge. The number of antiepileptic drugs used decreased. The number of seizures per week was 32.65 +/- 21.15 before the ketogenic diet, it decreased to 21.54 +/- 15.69.

Conclusions: The effectiveness of the ketogenic diet was better in medium and high knowledge levels. As the competence increases, ketogenic diet management will be easier. Therefore, it would be beneficial to visit a dietitian during clinic visits and to seek answers to food-related problems.