Lactoengineering is probably not technologically possible for the
ketogenic diet, as the amount of sugars allowed on the diet is
negligible.  A typical meal for a twelve year old consists of 2
tablespoons of pasta, 1/4 cup of melted pasteurized process cheese food
product, 3 green beans, and a cup of heavy cream, perhaps with a little
coffee for flavoring.  Liquids are restricted, and the amount of sugar
in a single strawberry is enough to eliminate the ketosis that is
necessary to inhibit seizures.

If this child's condition is so dire that she had to be placed in a coma
twice in a week, the parents are probably desperate to try anything.  I
would certainly recommend that the mother try fingerfeeding the formula,
and pump to maintain her milk supply in case the diet fails.  One
usually knows within a week or two if the diet is working or not, so
it's not a lifetime committment to pumping.

 What other options have been considered?  Has the baby been seen at a
Comprehensive Epilepsy Center?  Has the baby been evaluated to see if
she is a surgical candidate? If the baby is having Infantile Spasms, has
ACTH (adrenal corticotropic hormone) been tried?

It's horrible for the poor parents that they are in this position,
having to choose between breastfeeding and potential seizure control.
If they do decide to wean, please give them lots of emotional support
and positive reinforcement for the wonderful start they gave their
daughter.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html