1. Aetna considers hospitalization for initiation of a ketogenic diet in the treatment of intractable seizures medically necessary when all of the following selection criteria are met:

   1. Member has failed to respond to anti-convulsant medications (monotherapy and polytherapy) or is intolerant to anti-convulsant medications.  There must have been an adequate trial of drug therapy (specifically, the correct anti-convulsant medications have been used in the correct dosage, the member has been carefully monitored for treatment effects and the member has been compliant with drug therapy for at least 1 year); and
   2. Member must be younger than 18 years old; and
   3. Since strict adherence to this dietary regimen is tantamount to its effectiveness, parents/family members must be willing and dedicated to support compliance; and
   4. There is reason to believe that the outpatient setting will not be effective in initiating the fasting and dehydration period required. 

   Aetna considers hospitalization for initiation of a ketogenic diet medically necessary in the treatment of members with glucose transporter protein type 1 deficiency or pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency. 

   Aetna considers hospitalization for initiation of a ketogenic diet of unproven value for all other indications.

   Note: Most Aetna plans exclude coverage of dietary supplements; please check benefit plan descriptions for details.  These plans do not cover any food supplements for the ketogenic diet.

2. Aetna considers hospitalization for initiation of the Atkins diet in the treatment of intractable seizures or other indications experimental and investigational because its effectiveness has not been established.

The ketogenic diet, a diet that is very high in fats and extremely low in carbohydrates and protein, has been used for the treatment of uncontrolled seizures.

The traditional ketogenic diet entails an initial fasting and dehydration period during which patients receive no food and fluid intake is limited until ketones are present in the urine.  Thereafter, a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrate and protein is introduced.

Strict compliance with this unpalatable dietary regimen has been shown to have anti-convulsant effects, particularly in children.  Hospitalization may be necessary during an initial starvation period to induce marked ketosis and weight loss.  The length of hospital stay will depend on the proposed initial starvation period, and generally should not exceed 3 days.

According to an evidence-based guideline on diagnosis and management of epilepsy from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE, 2004), the ketogenic diet may be considered as an adjunctive treatment in children with drug-resistant epilepsy.  The guidelines state, however, that the ketogenic diet should not be recommended for adults with epilepsy.

Than and colleagues (2005) stated that an early, dramatic response to the ketogenic diet is more likely in patients with predominant seizure types other than complex partial.  It may also be more likely to occur in children who have infantile spasms.  In all other patient demographics and diet parameters, an equal likelihood of similar success was found.  In a randomized controlled study (n = 48), Bergquist et al (2005) compared the effectiveness of a gradual ketogenic diet initiation with the standard ketogenic diet initiation preceded by a 24- to 48-hour fast.  These investigators found that in children with intractable epilepsy, a gradual initiation results in fewer adverse events and is tolerated better overall while maintaining the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet.

In a randomized controlled study, Neal et al (2008) examined the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in the treatment of childhood epilepsy.  A total of 145 children aged between 2 and 16 years who had at least daily seizures (or more than 7 seizures per week) and had failed to respond to at least 2 anti-epileptic drugs, and who had not been treated previously with the ketogenic diet participated in this study.  Children were seen at one of two hospital centers or a residential center for young people with epilepsy.  Children were randomly assigned to receive a ketogenic diet, either immediately or after a 3-month delay, with no other changes to treatment (control group).  Neither the family nor investigators was blinded to the group assignment.  Early withdrawals were recorded, and seizure frequency on the diet was assessed after 3 months and compared with that of the controls.  The primary endpoint was a reduction in seizures; analysis was intention-to-treat.  Tolerability of the diet was assessed by questionnaire at 3 months.  A total of 73 children were assigned to the ketogenic diet and 72 children to the control group.  Data from 103 children were available for analysis: 54 on the ketogenic diet and 49 controls.  Of those who did not complete the trial, 16 children did not receive their intervention, 16 did not provide adequate data, and 10 withdrew from the treatment before the 3-month review, 6 because of intolerance.  After 3 months, the mean percentage of baseline seizures was significantly lower in the diet group than in the controls (62.0 % versus 136.9 %, 75 % decrease, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 42.4 to 107.4 %; p < 0.0001).  A total of 28 children (38 %) in the diet group had greater than 50 % seizure reduction compared with 4 (6 %) controls (p < 0.0001), and 5 children (7 %) in the diet group had greater than 90 % seizure reduction compared with no controls (p = 0.0582).  There was no significant difference in the efficacy of the treatment between symptomatic generalized or symptomatic focal syndromes.  The most frequent side effects reported at 3-month review were constipation, vomiting, lack of energy, and hunger.  The authors concluded that these findings support the use of ketogenic diet in children with treatment-intractable epilepsy.

The Atkins diet, widely used for weight reduction, has recently been tried for the management of intractable seizures.  The Atkins diet can induce a ketotic state, but has fewer protein and caloric restrictions than the traditional ketogenic diet.  Kossoff et al (2003) reported the use on the Atkins diet in 6 patients (aged 7 to 52 years) for the treatment of intractable focal and multi-focal epilepsy.  Five patients maintained moderate to large ketosis for periods of 6 weeks to 24 months; 3 patients had seizure reduction and were able to reduce anti-epileptic drug (AEDs).  This preliminary finding needs to be validated by more research.

Weber and colleagues (2009) evaluated the tolerability and efficacy of the modified Atkins diet given to children and adolescents with AED treatment resistant epilepsy.  A total of 15 children with medically intractable epilepsy were enrolled in the study.  Inclusion criteria were at least 1 seizure a week and a trial of at least 2 AEDs without obtaining seizure freedom documented in a seizure calendar.  At baseline subjects initiated a diet with carbohydrates restricted to make up 10 energy percent.  If seizures were reduced by less than 50 % after 7 to 14 days, carbohydrates were further restricted to 10 g per day.  No change in AED treatment was allowed.  The diet was well-tolerated.  After 3 months, 6 out of the 15 children (40 %) had a seizure reduction of more than 50 %, which was seen in different epileptic syndromes and different age groups.  The responders reported an increase in quality of life and cognition.  At 12 months follow-up, 3 (20 %) continued the diet with an unchanged marked seizure reduction.  Results of this study confirmed the high tolerability and effect of the modified Atkins diet on seizure control in AED treatment resistant epilepsy.  Moreover, the authors stated that further larger prospective studies are however needed to confirm these results.

Glucose is the brain's main source of energy.  To pass the blood-brain barrier (BBB), glucose transporter protein type 1 (GLUT-1) is essential.  Glucose transporter protein type 1 (GLUT-1) deficiency syndrome is caused by heterozygous mutations in the SLC2A1 gene, resulting in impaired glucose transport into the brain.  It is characterized by a low glucose concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF; hypoglycorrhachia) in the absence of hypoglycemia, in combination with low-to-normal lactate in the CSF.  The diagnosis is confirmed by genetic testing.

Rogovik and Goldman (2010) stated that the ketogenic diet can be considered an option for children with intractable epilepsy who use multiple anti-epileptic drugs.  It is a treatment of choice for seizures associated with GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome (i.e., De Vivo disease) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) deficiency.

Ramm-Pettersen et al (2011) described the clinical consequences of mutations in the SLC2A1 gene, with special emphasis on GLUT-1 encephalopathy.  This review was based on a non-systematic literature search in PubMed and the authors' experience within the field.  Epileptic or epilepsy-like symptoms are usually the first sign in children with the GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome.  Later on these children suffer delayed psychomotor development, microcephaly, ataxia, spasticity, or movement disorders; electroencephalograhic abnormalities may develop.  GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome should be suspected in children with epilepsy-like seizures and delayed development combined with a low content of glucose in spinal fluid.  Treatment is a ketogenic diet, as ketone bodies pass the BBB using other transport proteins than GLUT-1.  The authors concluded that GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome is a rare metabolic encephalopathy that is not well-known and probably under-diagnosed.  An early diagnosis and early start of a ketogenic diet may give these children a normal or nearly normal life.

Graham (2012) stated that GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome often results in treatment-resistant infantile epilepsy with progressive developmental disabilities and a complex movement disorder.  Recognizing GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome is important, since initiation of a ketogenic diet can reduce the frequency of seizures and the severity of the movement disorder.

Pong et al (2012) noted that GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome is defined by hypoglycorrhachia with normoglycemia, acquired microcephaly, episodic movements, and epilepsy refractory to standard AEDs.  Gold standard treatment is the ketogenic diet, which provides ketones to treat neuroglycopenia.  These investigators (i) described epilepsy phenotypes in a large GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome cohort to facilitate diagnosis; and (ii) described cases in which non-ketogenic diet agents achieved seizure freedom to highlight potential adjunctive treatments.  A retrospective review of 87 patients with GLUT- 1 deficiency syndrome (45 % female, age range of 3 months to 35 years, average diagnosis 6.5 years) from 1989 to 2010 was carried out.  Seventy-eight (90 %) of 87 patients had epilepsy, with average onset at 8 months.  Seizures were mixed in 68 % (53/78): generalized tonic-clonic (53 %), absence (49 %), complex partial (37 %), myoclonic (27 %), drop (26 %), tonic (12 %), simple partial (3 %), and spasms (3 %).  These researchers described the first 2 cases of spasms in GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome.  Electrophysiologic abnormalities were highly variable over time; only 13 (17 %) of 75 had exclusively normal findings.  Ketogenic diet was used in 82 % (64/78); 67 % (41/61) were seizure-free and 68 % of seizure-free patients (28/41) resolved in  less than 1 week and 76 % (31/41) in less than 1 month.  Seven patients achieved seizure freedom with broad agents only.  The authors conclude that GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome is a genetic metabolic encephalopathy with variable focal and multi-focal seizure types and electroencephalographic findings.  Infants with seizures, spasms, or paroxysmal events should be tested for GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome.  They stated that evidence is insufficient to recommend specific AEDs as alternatives to ketogenic diet.  Early diagnosis and initiation of ketogenic diet and prevention of unnecessary AED trials in GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome are important goals for the treatment of children with epilepsy.

An UpToDate review on “The ketogenic diet” (Kossoff, 2012) stated that “GLUT1 deficiency syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by impaired glucose transport across the blood brain barrier resulting in generalized epilepsy, developmental delay, and an associated movement disorder.  A low cerebrospinal fluid glucose level suggests this diagnosis.  The diagnosis can be confirmed in most cases with genetic testing (SLC2A1 mutation).  The ketogenic diet is a first-line treatment for this disorder and provides ketones as an alternative energy source for the brain”.

Tzadok et al (2014) described a cohort of isolated and familial cases of GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome, emphasizing seizure semiology, electroencephalographic features, therapeutic response, and mutation pathogenicity.  SLC2A1 mutations were detected in 3 sporadic and 4 familial cases.  In addition, mutations were identified in 9 clinically unaffected family members in 2 families.  The phenotypic spectrum of GLUT-1 deficiency is wider than previously recognized, with considerable intra-familial variation.  Diagnosis requires either hypoglycorrachia followed by SLC2A1 sequencing or direct gene sequencing.  A ketogenic diet should be the first line of treatment; carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., acetazolamide or zonisamide) can be effective for seizure control.

Inborn errors of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) are associated with developmental delay, lactic acidosis, neuroanatomic defects, and early death.  Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency is a clinically heterogeneous disorder, with most mutations located in the coding region of the X-linked alpha subunit of the first catalytic component, pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1).  Treatment of E1 deficiency has included cofactor replacement, activation of PDC with dichloroacetate, as well as ketogenic diets.

Wexler et al (1997) described the outcome of ketogenic diet treatment in 7 boys with E1 deficiency.  These patients were divided into 2 groups based on their mutations (R349H, 3 patients; and R234G, 4 patients, 2 sibling pairs).  All 7 patients received ketogenic diets with varying degrees of carbohydrate restriction.  Clinical outcome was compared within each group and between siblings as related to the intensity and duration of dietary intervention.  Subjects who either had the diet initiated earlier in life or who were placed on greater carbohydrate restriction had increased longevity and improved mental development.  Based on the improved outcomes of patients with identical mutations, it appears that a nearly carbohydrate-free diet initiated shortly after birth may be useful in the treatment of E1 deficiency.

Klepper et al (2004) stated that the ketogenic diet has been used for decades to treat intractable childhood epilepsies.  It is also the treatment of choice for GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome and PDHc deficiency.  Recent studies have once again confirmed the effectiveness of the diet, but the diet is hardly known in Europe and has never been quite accepted as an effective treatment of childhood epilepsy.  These investigators reported retrospective data on 146 children treated with the ketogenic diet in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.  In 2000 and 2002, standardized questionnaires were sent to 13 neuropediatric departments to evaluate indications, effects and side effects.  In children with refractory epilepsy (n = 111), 8 % became seizure-free on the diet.  Seizure reduction of greater than 90 % was achieved in additional 9 % of patients; a seizure reduction of 50 to 90 % was attained in additional 14 % of patients.  There was a great variability between epilepsy departments.  All patients with GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome (n = 18) and PDHc deficiency (n = 15) showed clinical improvement.  In GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome, complete seizure control was achieved in 94 % of patients.  Compliance was good in 82 % of all patients regardless of the indication for the diet.  The authors concluded that in contrast to the general restraint towards the ketogenic diet in Europe, these findings supported its effectiveness as the treatment of choice for GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome und PDHc deficiency.  In children with refractory epilepsy, the ketogenic diet matched the effect of most anti-convulsants and was well-tolerated.  These data and 2 work-shops resulted in recommendations for the use of the ketogenic diet in children as a basis for a general diagnostic and therapeutic standard to compare and improve the use of the ketogenic diet in Europe.

Prasad et al (2011) noted that the PDHc is a mitochondrial matrix multi-enzyme complex that provides the link between glycolysis and the tri-carboxylic acid (TCA) cycle by catalyzing the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA.  Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency is one of the commoner metabolic disorders of lactic acidosis presenting with neurological phenotypes that vary with age and gender.  These researchers postulated mechanisms of epilepsy in the setting of PDHc deficiency using 2 illustrative cases (one with PDHc E1-alpha polypeptide (PDHA1) deficiency and the second one with PDHc E1-beta subunit (PDHB) deficiency (a rare subtype of PDHc deficiency)) and a selected review of published case series.  Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex plays a critical role in the pathway of carbohydrate metabolism and energy production.  In severe deficiency states, the resulting energy deficit impacts on brain development in-utero resulting in structural brain anomalies and epilepsy.  Milder deficiency states present with variable manifestations that include cognitive delay, ataxia, and seizures.  Epileptogenesis in PDHc deficiency is linked to energy failure, development of structural brain anomalies and abnormal neurotransmitter metabolism.  The use of the ketogenic diet bypasses the metabolic block, by providing a direct source of acetyl-CoA, leading to amelioration of some symptoms.  Genetic counseling is essential as PDHA1 deficiency (commonest defect) is X-linked although females can be affected due to unfavorable lyonization, while PDHB and PDH phosphatase (PDP) deficiencies (much rarer defects) are of autosomal recessive inheritance.

El-Gharbawy et al (2011) reported the case of a male child with X-linked PDH deficiency presented with severe neonatal lactic acidosis.  Poor compliance following initiation of the ketogenic diet justified modification to a less restrictive form that improved compliance.  One year after starting the modified diet, the subject remained clinically stable, showing developmental progress.

An UpToDate review on “The ketogenic diet” (Kossoff, 2012) stated that “The ketogenic diet may also serve to provide an alternative energy source for the brain in PDH deficiency, a mitochondrial disease characterized by lactic acidosis, severe neurologic impairments, and occasionally, intractable epilepsy”.