@article{3083183,
    title = "Application of a ketogenic diet in children with autistic behavior:
Pilot study",
    author = "Evangeliou, A and Vlachonikolis, I and Mihailidou, H and Spilioti, M and and Skarpalezou, A and Makaronas, N and Prokopiou, A and Christodoulou, P and and Liapi-Adamidou, G and Helidonis, E and Sbyrakis, S and Smeitink, J",
    journal = "Journal of Child Neurology",
    year = "2003",
    volume = "18",
    number = "2",
    pages = "113-118",
    publisher = "SAGE Publications Inc.",
    issn = "0883-0738, 1708-8828",
    doi = "10.1177/08830738030180020501",
    abstract = "A pilot prospective follow-up study of the role of the ketogenic diet
was carried out on 30 children, aged between 4 and 10 years, with
autistic behavior. The diet was applied for 6 months, with continuous
administration for 4 weeks, interrupted by 2-week diet-free intervals.
Seven patients could not tolerate the diet, whereas five other patients
adhered to the diet for I to 2 months and then discontinued it. Of the
remaining group who adhered to the diet, 18 of 30 children (60%),
improvement was recorded in several parameters and in accordance with
the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Significant improvement (> 12 units
of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale) was recorded in two patients
(pre-Scale: 35.00 +/- 1.41 [mean +/- SD]), average improvement (> 8-12
units) in eight patients (pre-Scale: 41.88 +/- 3.14[mean SD]), and
minor improvement (2-8 units) in eight patients (pre-Scale: 45.25 +/-
2.76 [mean +/- SD]). Although these data are very preliminary, there
is some evidence that the ketogenic diet may be used in autistic
behavior as an additional or alternative therapy."
}