Ketogenic diet therapies in France: State of the use in 2018.

Ketogenic diets (KDs) are well-established treatments for pharmacoresistant epilepsies and some metabolic disorders. The amount of publications including evidence-based trials has continuously increased in the last 10 years. We evaluated the use of KDs in France using 2 surveys from more than ten years ago (2005 and 2008).

METHODS: We conducted a new survey based on 10 questions to evaluate the evolution of the practice since 2008 and the thoughts of French pediatric neurologists on the barriers as well as possible ways to support the use of KDs.

RESULTS: All centers increased their use of KDs over time. There are now 5 out of 25 centers that are prescribing the modified Atkins diet. French pediatric neurologists reported the acceptability and the everyday life burden due to KDs as the most important barriers.

CONCLUSION: The use of the diet in France seems to follow the increase of knowledge in this field.