Unfortunately this is often not possible. While some patients are able to gradually discontinue medications while on the diet, many do not become seizure-free, and many require some continued medication. Many children s medications are compounded in sugary syrups. We teach parents to be vigilant in reading labels of all medications, and to avoid all preparations which contain carbohydrates. The diet is often very sensitive to even small amounts of these carbohydrates.
Parents become quite creative.
Birthday cakes can be cheese cake. This can also work well for parties and for school. Studies in progress suggest that only a small percentage of children on the diet have a substantial increase in their cholesterol and triglycerides. The long term effects of the diet on heart disease and stroke are unknown, but few children remain on the diet long enough for this to become a problem. No , they should not gain significant weight.