Keywords
Modified Atkins Diet
Child
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Modified Atkins Diet in reducing seizure frequency and to analyze its adverse effects, adherence, and duration of intervention in children with refractory epilepsy. Methods: An integrative review was conducted using the databases Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), PubMed, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), and Periódicos CAPES, including studies published between 2020 and 2026, based on the descriptors “modified atkins diet,” “children,” and “epilepsy.” Full-text articles addressing the application of the diet in the pediatric population with drug-resistant epilepsy were considered eligible. Results: Ten studies comprised the final sample. A ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency was observed, with cases achieving ≥90% reduction and complete remission, in addition to an early onset of therapeutic effect. Adverse effects were predominantly mild and gastrointestinal, especially constipation. The greater flexibility of the protocol favored adherence, although dropouts were reported. Final considerations: The Modified Atkins Diet appears to be an effective and safe therapeutic alternative; however, more robust clinical trials are needed to strengthen the current evidence.
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