Could a High-Fat diet help heal injured brains in kids?

NCT ID NCT02174016

Terminated Disease control Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This pilot study tests whether a ketogenic diet—a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet—is safe and feasible for children in the pediatric ICU with acute brain injuries like stroke or traumatic brain injury. The idea is that after injury, the brain may struggle to use sugar for energy, so the diet aims to switch the body to burning fat instead. Researchers will monitor for side effects and measure ketone levels in the blood and brain.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ketogenic diet (high fat, low carbohydrate tube-feeds)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new way to support brain recovery after injury in children by providing an alternative fuel source.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early pilot study with only 5-10 children, so results may not apply to everyone. The diet can cause side effects like low blood sugar or acidosis, and the trial is currently suspended.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain injury intracerebral hemorrhage stroke disorder traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ACUTE BRAIN INJURIES

Contacts and locations

Locations

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.