Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42132666›Full record

ReviewEpilepsia open2026

Ketogenic diet therapy for children with super-refractory status epilepticus in intensive care: International clinical practice recommendations.

Robyn Blackford, Victoria J Whiteley, Isobel Hardy, Marisa Armeno, Tessa Bollard, J Helen Cross, Christin Eltze, Susan George, Charlotte Howard, A Laura Nijstad and 11 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Epilepsia open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

21 authors.

Robyn BlackfordAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Victoria J WhiteleyRoyal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK.
Isobel HardyGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
Marisa ArmenoMetabolic Research Center (CINME), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Tessa BollardSydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia.
J Helen CrossGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7345-4829
Christin EltzeGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
Susan GeorgeSheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Charlotte HowardBirmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
A Laura NijstadErasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Erin TalzziaDayton Children's Hospital, Dayton, Ohio, USA.
Chris PagetRoyal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK.
Samiran RayGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
Zoe SimpsonGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
Elizabeth Song-PozderacAkron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio, USA.
Agnieszka SzmurloGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
Charlene Tan-SmithChristchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4779-148X
Lisa VanattaPhoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Elles van der LouwErasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3245-0471
Natasha E SchoelerGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6202-1497
Ketogenic Dietitians Research Network

Funding

Nutricia Advanced Medical Nutrition UK
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveWe aimed to create practical recommendations to support healthcare teams starting ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) for children with super-refractory status epilepticus in intensive care settings.

methodsA literature review was conducted to extract published data on patient selection, diet prescription, diet initiation, monitoring, fine-tuning, and discontinuation of KDT for super-refractory status epilepticus. Statements were formulated within each subtopic, and an online survey was distributed to gauge the extent of international agreement with these statements to inform consensus-based recommendations for initiation and maintenance of KDT in pediatric intensive care settings, with a focus on enteral nutrition. Consensus on a statement for inclusion in the core recommendations was reached if ≥75% of respondents "Agreed" or "Strongly Agreed". Recommendations from relevant published guidelines or studies were also included.

resultsTwenty-two relevant manuscripts were identified, and 25 statements were formulated. Seventy-two healthcare professionals responded to the survey, including dietitians, medics, nurses, intensivists, and a neurophysiologist. Clinical recommendations were made across the following areas, using evidence from published literature, survey agreement, or the clinical expertise of the authors: patient selection and timing of start, preparation for treatment, dietary prescription, diet initiation, monitoring adverse effects, fine tuning, and weaning of KDT. Thirty statements met the criteria for core recommendations. SIGNIFICANCE: These are the first international multidisciplinary recommendations for use of KDT for children with super-refractory status epilepticus, intended as a sensical guide for dietitians, neurologists, intensivists, and associated healthcare professionals. The majority of the recommendations are based on survey agreement due to a paucity of published evidence. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Children with very severe seizures that do not stop despite medication often need care in intensive care units. This study brings together published evidence and international expert consensus to provide clear guidance on when and how a high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet can be started safely in this setting. The recommendations highlight early diet initiation, close monitoring, and strong teamwork between doctors, dietitians, nurses, and pharmacists while recognizing that more high-quality research is still needed.

Indexed as

Critical CareDiet, KetogenicDrug Resistant EpilepsyPractice Guidelines as TopicStatus EpilepticusChildHumansepilepsyhigh‐fat low carbketogenic dietmultidisciplinarystatus epilepticus

Identifiers

PMID42132666
PMCPMC13394031

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.