The ketogenic diet is a medical therapy for epilepsy that is used nearly predominantly for
refractory epilepsy (after 2-3 drugs have been tried and failed). However, there is both
published evidence for first-line use (infantile spasms, Glut1 deficiency syndrome) and also
anecdotal experience (families choosing to change the child's (or the family' own) diet
rather than use anticonvulsant medications). Childhood absence epilepsy (refractory) has been
published as being responsive to ketogenic diet therapy by the investigators' group
previously. This is a small, prospective, 3 month trial to assess if using a modified Atkins
diet is a feasible and effective option for new-onset childhood absence epilepsy. The
investigators will compare to a group of children in which the parents have declined and
chose to start anticonvulsant medications.