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Blended Diet May Improve Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Neurologically Impaired Children

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— 1 min read

Researchers have found that replacing a portion of a ketogenic diet therapy with a blended diet can reduce gastrointestinal symptoms in children with severe neurological impairment. The study, conducted at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, involved nine patients, six of whom completed the trial. The results suggest that a blended diet may be a feasible and effective solution for managing persistent gastrointestinal issues in these children, without compromising their overall nutritional needs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Replacing one daily portion of a ketogenic diet therapy with a blended diet reduced gastrointestinal symptoms in six out of nine patients.
  • Two patients reduced their laxative use by half, and one improved stool frequency from several times a day to once a day.
  • Seizure frequency improved in two cases (33.3%).
  • No significant changes occurred in other parameters, such as nutritional and anthropometric parameters.
  • The blended diet was found to be feasible and well-tolerated by the patients, with all six completers adhering to one blended diet portion.
  • Promotility medications remained unchanged, and there were no significant changes in ketosis levels.
  • The study suggests that partial blended diet may be considered early in managing persistent gastrointestinal issues during ketogenic diet therapy.

Statistics:

  • 9 patients participated in the study, with 6 males and 3 females.
  • The median age of the patients was 9 years.
  • The study involved patients aged 1-18 years.
  • 2 patients reduced their laxative use by half.
  • 1 patient improved stool frequency from several times a day to once a day.
  • 2 cases (33.3%) showed improved seizure frequency.
  • The study involved 6 completers and 3 non-completers.
  • No significant changes occurred in nutritional and anthropometric parameters.

Sources:

  • Nutrition. Partial substitution of ketogenic diet therapy with a blended diet: Evaluation of clinical practice in neurologically impaired fully tube fed children. 2025;142:112956. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Nutrition - www.journals.elsevier.com/nutrition/)
  • Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 658.

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