2023 AES: Special Lecture | The Multi-disciplinary Patient Centered Team in Treating People with Epilepsy-The Dietician and Dietary Therapies

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Christy Sports from Phoenix Children's discusses the significant role dietitians play in the management of patients with epilepsy, particularly focusing on nutritional challenges and care coordination complexities. Patients with epilepsy often face increased risks of nutritional deficiencies due to comorbidities, therapies involving medications, and ketogenic diets, which can negatively affect nutrient metabolism and increase risks like bone fractures. Dietitians play a crucial role in managing these risks by analyzing diets, evaluating lab results, and ensuring necessary supplements or dietary adjustments. Christy highlights the collaborative need between dietitians, neurologists, and pharmacists to balance seizure control therapies and nutritional needs. She presents a case study illustrating how such collaboration can improve patient outcomes. Addressing malnutrition in epilepsy reduces hospital stays and healthcare costs, emphasizing the importance of early dietitian intervention. Resources like the Charley Foundation support practitioners and families considering ketogenic therapies.

Asset Subtitle

Presenter: Christine Wheeler, MS, RD

Keywords

dietitians

epilepsy

nutritional deficiencies

ketogenic diet

care coordination