Researchers in Argentina studied 39 children with a rare condition called Glut1DS, which affects how the brain uses sugar for energy and can cause seizures and movement problems. The good news? A special high-fat, low-carb diet called the ketogenic diet helped most of these kids. About 86% of the children who followed this diet stopped having seizures completely, and many also improved in how they moved and thought. This study shows that recognizing this condition early and starting the special diet quickly can make a big difference in children’s lives.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How well a special high-fat, low-carb diet (called the ketogenic diet) works for children with Glut1DS, a rare condition where the brain can’t use sugar properly
  • Who participated: 39 children in Argentina with Glut1DS, ranging in age from young children to teenagers (average age 13.7 years). About two-thirds had trouble thinking clearly, and most had movement problems
  • Key finding: When children with Glut1DS followed the ketogenic diet, 86% stopped having seizures completely, and 10% had major improvements. Kids also got better at moving around and thinking clearly
  • What it means for you: If your child has been diagnosed with Glut1DS, starting the ketogenic diet early may help control seizures and improve how they move and think. However, this is a specialized condition that needs careful medical supervision

The Research Details

Researchers looked back at medical records from 39 children in Argentina who had been diagnosed with Glut1DS. They collected information about when symptoms started, what problems the children had, and how well the ketogenic diet worked for each child. All children were tested with genetic testing to confirm they had Glut1DS by looking for specific changes in a gene called SLC2A1.

The researchers organized all this information in the same way for each patient so they could compare results fairly. They looked at how many children got better, what kinds of improvements they had, and whether the diet caused any problems.

This study is important because Glut1DS is very rare and often missed by doctors. By looking at a group of patients in one country, researchers could see patterns about how the disease appears and how well treatment works. This helps doctors in Argentina and other countries recognize the condition faster and start treatment sooner

This study looked at real patients and their actual medical records, which is a reliable way to learn about how treatments work in real life. However, because it’s a smaller group (39 patients) from one country, the results may not apply exactly the same way everywhere. The researchers didn’t compare this group to a control group, so we can’t be 100% certain the diet caused all the improvements

What the Results Show

Almost all 39 children (38 out of 39) started the ketogenic diet. Most of them stayed on the diet long-term, with 30 children still following it when the study ended. The results were very positive: 86% of children who stayed on the diet had no more seizures at all, and the remaining children had at least 50% fewer seizures.

Beyond seizures, children showed other improvements too. About 38% of kids got better at physical activities like running and coordination. About 10% showed improvements in thinking and paying attention. Some children also had more energy and better behavior.

The researchers didn’t find any serious side effects from the diet. This is important because it means the treatment was safe for these children to use long-term.

The study found that children with Glut1DS had very different symptoms. Two-thirds had trouble with learning and thinking clearly (cognitive impairment). About 79% had movement problems like shaking or stiffness. About 74% had seizures. This shows that Glut1DS affects different children in different ways. The study also found that children waited almost 4 years (49 months) between when symptoms started and when they got diagnosed, which shows the condition is often missed

This is the first study of Glut1DS patients in Argentina, so it’s new information for that country. However, other studies from different countries have also shown that the ketogenic diet works well for Glut1DS. This study confirms what doctors have learned elsewhere and shows that the diet can help children in Argentina too. The study also shows that more children are being diagnosed earlier now, which is progress

This study only looked at 39 children, which is a small number, so the results might not apply exactly the same to all children with Glut1DS everywhere. The researchers looked back at medical records instead of following children forward in time, which means some information might be missing or incomplete. There was no comparison group of children who didn’t get the diet, so we can’t be completely sure the diet caused all the improvements (though the results are very convincing). The study was only done in Argentina, so results might be different in other countries

The Bottom Line

If your child has been diagnosed with Glut1DS, the ketogenic diet is strongly recommended as the main treatment. The evidence shows it works very well for controlling seizures and may help with movement and thinking. Start the diet as early as possible after diagnosis. Work closely with a doctor who knows about this condition and can monitor your child’s progress. (Confidence: High - based on consistent results across many studies)

This information is most important for families with a child diagnosed with Glut1DS, doctors who work with children with seizures or rare conditions, and people in countries like Argentina where this condition may be underdiagnosed. If your child has unexplained seizures, movement problems, or learning difficulties, ask your doctor about Glut1DS. This is NOT a diet for weight loss or general seizure treatment—it’s specifically for this rare genetic condition

Many children see improvements in seizures within weeks to months of starting the ketogenic diet. Some improvements in movement and thinking may take longer—several months to a year. It’s important to be patient and work with your medical team to adjust the diet as needed

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track seizure frequency (number of seizures per week), duration of seizures, and any changes in movement or coordination. Also note diet adherence—which foods were eaten and any side effects noticed
  • Use the app to log daily meals following the ketogenic diet plan prescribed by your doctor. Set reminders for meals and medical appointments. Record any changes in seizures, energy levels, or how your child moves and thinks
  • Create a weekly summary showing seizure count, diet compliance percentage, and any new symptoms or improvements. Share this data with your doctor at each visit to help adjust treatment if needed. Track long-term trends over months to see if the diet continues to work well

This article describes research about Glut1DS and ketogenic diet therapy. It is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Glut1DS is a serious rare condition that requires diagnosis and treatment by qualified healthcare providers. The ketogenic diet is a specialized medical treatment that must be supervised by doctors and dietitians experienced with this condition. Do not start any new diet or treatment without consulting your child’s doctor. Individual results vary, and what works for one child may not work the same way for another. Always work with your medical team to develop a treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs.