About This Clinic
The Ketogenic Therapies Clinic at the Dell Children’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center is a multidisciplinary clinic within UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin.
Ketogenic Therapies Clinic uses diet therapy to treat epilepsy and some metabolic conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. We work closely with our families to determine the most achievable and therapeutic ketogenic therapy option for your child and family.
What is a ketogenic diet?
A ketogenic therapy is a diet that is high in fat, adequate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. Different forms of ketogenic therapies have been developed over the years, creating several diet therapy treatment options.
Ketogenic therapies typically reduce seizures by at least 50% in about half of children. About 10% of children's seizures are reduced by more than 90%. As with all treatments, there are side effects and risks involved with ketogenic diet therapies. It is important that children on diet therapy be closely monitored by a ketogenic diet team.
The Ketogenic Therapies Clinic is one of the largest ketogenic centers in the country and is staffed by a highly experienced team.
UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s is ranked among the nation's best Neurology and Neurosurgery specialty programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2024-2025.
Treatment Approach
Patients are cared for by a dedicated multidisciplinary care team, meaning you will benefit from the expertise of multiple specialists across a variety of disciplines. Our dietitians and nurse practitioners have extensive experience in ketogenic therapies and work alongside a team of pediatric experts, including nurses, physicians, and social workers, providing unparalleled care for patients every step of the way.
We collaborate closely with referring physicians and other partners in the community to coordinate your child’s care.
Appointment Information
We offer in-person appointments and virtual appointments depending on your location. At least 24 hours before your initial appointment, you will be required to complete an electronic medical history, including a history of your child’s neurological condition and their diet history.
New patient appointments are 90 minutes, and established patient appointments are 60 minutes. At your first appointment, you will meet with our neurology nurse practitioner and dietitian, and we may order baseline blood work. We will provide further education regarding the recommended diet, potential side effects, and the need for routine monitoring. Depending on the recommended diet and other risk factors, your child might be able to start the diet over the upcoming weeks at home. If your child is younger or at increased risk for side effects during a transition to a low-carbohydrate diet, we may schedule a short hospital stay, typically three days, to closely monitor your child as they transition to a ketogenic diet.
For more information about the Ketogenic Therapies Clinic, please call 1-512-628-1855. You can also fax referrals to 1-512-380-7544.
About the Partnership Between UT Health Austin and Dell Children's
The collaboration between UT Health Austin and Dell Children's brings together medical professionals, medical school learners, and researchers who are all part of the integrated mission of transforming healthcare delivery and redesigning the academic health environment to better serve society. This collaboration allows highly specialized providers who are at the forefront of the latest research, diagnostic, and technological developments to build an integrated system of care that is a collaborative resource for clinicians and their patients.