A Journey of Dietary Therapies for Epilepsy in Iran: Diet Restriction in the Ancient Era to the Ketogenic Diet in the Modern Period

Abstract

Epilepsy, in children, is a common neurological problem for referral to child neurology clinics.

The prevalence of nonfebrile seizure in children (under 10 years old), is estimated from 5.2 to 8.1 per 1000. Also, the prevalence of epilepsy in Iran estimated about 5 %; it means 4 million people of Iranian population live with epilepsy in Iran.

Although antiseizure drugs (ASDs) are the essential treatment modalities in most children, more than 30% of epileptic children have intractable seizures or they suffer from drug adverse effects secondary to these medications.

Because only a limited number of epileptic patients benefit from surgical therapy using the additional therapeutic options is inevitable. There are many available nonpharmacologic proven therapies for refractory seizures that Dietary therapy ( Ketogenic Diet) is one of the important therapeutic options in this group.

In this review, we will discuss the different features of pediatric epilepsy dietary therapies (Especially the Ketogenic Diet) in Iran and also the history of epilepsy in ancient Iran, utilization, effectiveness, side effects, tolerability, and acceptability as well as ongoing and future programs.