IS balanced diet has effect on epileptics?

Abstract

This study the effect of balanced diet on the cognition, growth, biochemical and electroencephalogram changes among epileptic children and adolescents, this study was carried on 100 epileptic children and adolescents of both sexes, their ages ranged between 11-14 years, food consumption for all cases was calculated. All cases were grouped into two groups, 50 cases were under special balanced diet program (group I) and 50 cases were left on their regular diet (group II). All cases were subjected to complete clinical and neurological examination, anthropometric assessment and behavior assessment. Biochemical assessment for serum calcium, zinc, copper and hemoglobin were assessed. Electroencephalogram was done for all cases at the start and by the end of the study. Present results showed a significant changes in psychometric behavior between both groups. Patients of group II show highly significant decrease in levels of hemoglobin, copper, zinc and calcium, in comparison to patients of group I. A highly significant increase in anthropometric measurements among patients of group I, as compared to patients of group II. Regarding changes in electroencephalogram there was an improvement in 22%o of cases of group I as compared with group II which showed an improvement in only 6% of cases. Then we concluded that children and adolescents with epilepsy are often more sensitive to the world around them than others, therefore it is important to ensure that their nutrition is as well balanced as possible, for better life, improvement and efficacy for antiepileptic drugs.