AUTHOR=Hu Wandong , Li Lili , Zhao Fen , Zhang Huan , Zhang Hongwei 

TITLE=Progress of ketogenic diet in the treatment of developmental epileptic encephalopathy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1567095

DOI=10.3389/fped.2025.1567095

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=Developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) is a severe neurological disorder caused by underlying genetic abnormalities and frequent epileptic activity. It is characterized by early-onset, drug-resistant epilepsy, abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) findings, and developmental delay or regression. DEE is associated with high rates of disability and mortality. The ketogenic diet (KD) is a well-established non-pharmacological treatment for refractory epilepsy and has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in several DEE subtypes. In certain cases, it may reduce or even eliminate the need for pharmacological interventions. This review discusses the current clinical application of KD in children with DEE and summarizes key factors influencing its therapeutic effectiveness.