Mynie Gustav Peterman

Mynie Gustav Peterman (5 March 1896 – 14 October 1971) was an American pediatrician known for formulating the classic ketogenic diet (CKD) to treat epilepsy in children.

Biography

Peterman was born in Merrill, Wisconsin. He attended Merrill Public School (1901–1909), followed by Merrill High School (1909–1913). He obtained his Sc.B. from University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1918, A.M. from Washington University in St. Louis in 1919 and M.D. from Washington University School of Medicine in 1920. Peterman's ketogenic diet was described as consisting of "one gram of protein per kilogram of body weight in children, 10–15 g of carbohydrate per day, and the remainder of the calories in fat". Peterman observed that excess ketosis could cause nausea and vomiting which could be relieved by his patients drinking orange juice.

He was a consultant in paediatrics to the United States Public Health Service (1954–1964). Peterman was a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and was a vice-president of the American chapter of the International League Against Epilepsy.

Personal life

Peterman married Mildred Mackenzie on 29 September 1924, they had two children.

Selected publications

The Ketogenic Diet in the Treatment of Epilepsy (1924) The Ketogenic Diet in Epilepsy (1925)