Vagus Nerve Stimulation Combined with Ketogenic Diet Shown to Improve Seizure Control in Pediatric Patients

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Researchers from the Children's Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai, People's Republic of China, conducted a retrospective analysis of inpatients with febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) to evaluate the clinical efficacy and long-term functional prognosis of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) combined with ketogenic diet (KD). The study found that the combination of VNS and KD treatments in the acute phase may represent a viable therapeutic strategy for reducing seizures and improving long-term function for pediatric FIRES.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved a retrospective analysis of 16 inpatients with FIRES who received either VNS + KD or KD alone.
  • There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of duration of anesthesia, duration of mechanical ventilation, and duration in ICU and hospital (P 0.05).
  • At the last follow-up, 55.6% of patients had moderate to severe disabilities, and 16.7% had died.
  • The VNS + KD group exhibited significantly better functional outcomes as measured by the modified Rankin scale (P = 0.002).
  • Younger age of onset was associated with increased odds of a poor outcome (P = 0.045).
  • The study suggested that combining VNS and KD treatments in the acute phase may be beneficial for reducing seizures and improving long-term function for pediatric FIRES patients.

Statistics:

  • 55.6% of patients had moderate to severe disabilities at the last follow-up.
  • 16.7% of patients had died at the last follow-up.
  • P = 0.002 for the modified Rankin scale outcome between the VNS + KD and KD alone groups.
  • P = 0.045 for the association between younger age of onset and increased odds of a poor outcome.
  • Bivariate analysis was performed, and results showed no significant differences between the VNS + KD and KD alone groups in terms of duration of anesthesia, duration of mechanical ventilation, and duration in ICU and hospital (P 0.05).

Sources:

  • Vagus nerve stimulation combined with ketogenic diet versus ketogenic diet alone in the treatment of febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome in children: efficacy and long-term prognosis study. Child's Nervous System, 2025;41(1):305.
  • Chen et al. (2025). Vagus nerve stimulation combined with ketogenic diet versus ketogenic diet alone in the treatment of febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome in children: efficacy and long-term prognosis study. Child's Nervous System, 41(1), 305. doi: 10.1007/s00381-024-05422-9
  • NewsRx. Researchers from Children's Hospital of Fudan University Report New Studies and Findings in the Area of Seizures (Vagus nerve stimulation combined with ketogenic diet versus ketogenic diet alone in the treatment of febrile infection-related ...). Medical Devices & Surgical Technology Week. October 26, 2025; p 1826.