Re: Ketogenic Diet & Kidney Stones??

[Guest guest]

Here is an article I have found on the ketogenic diet and kidney stones:

Ketogenic Diet Linked With High Rate Of Kidney Stones

WESTPORT, Aug 10 (Reuters Health) - The ketogenic diet, which is increasingly

being used to treat refractory epilepsy in children, induces several

metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of nephrolithiasis. Dietary

modification can be an appropriate prophylactic measure, but refractory stone

disease may require discontinuation of the ketogenic diet completely.

Dr. Kielb and colleagues from the University of Michigan Medical

Center, Ann Arbor, describe four pediatric cases of nephrolithiasis secondary

to the ketogenic diet. The two boys and two girls, ages 2.5 to 8.0 years,

were among 103 children treated for urinary lithiasis at their center between

1995 and 1999.

As reported in the August issue of The Journal of Urology, stone composition

was calcium in two patients, calcium uric acid in one and pure ammonium urate

in one patient. Similar to results of a previous report, time from initiation

of the ketogenic diet to symptomatic stone formation was approximately 18

months.

Following shock wave lithotripsy, fluid liberalization, and urinary

alkalization with oral citrate, three children have remained stone-free while

continuing on the ketogenic diet. However, the diet was discontinued in one

child in whom stones recurred despite treatment.

Lithiasis rate in this population reportedly ranges from 3% to 10%,

significantly higher than in the general pediatric population. Dr. Kielb's

group recommends screening urinalysis and renal ultrasonography at 1 and 2

years for children on the ketogenic diet.