Spec. MD. Melek Erdem

Our 8-month-old daughter, Elif, was failing to thrive and had severe, chronic diarrhea that no local doctor could diagnose. We were terrified. Dr. Melek Erdem didn't just run tests; she spent an hour with us, mapping out Elif's entire feeding and symptom history on a whiteboard. She suspected a rare congenital sugar transporter defect. Her calm, methodical approach was a lifeline. After a targeted biopsy confirmed SGLT1 deficiency, she created a custom dietary plan. Elif is now a chubby-cheeked 2-year-old hitting all her milestones. Dr. Erdem didn't just treat a patient; she gave our family a future.

As a 68-year-old with autoimmune hepatitis and cirrhosis, transferred to Dr. Erdem's care after my pediatric hepatologist retired, I was skeptical. A pediatric specialist for an elderly man? But her expertise transcends age. She reviewed my decades of records with a forensic eye, spotted a pattern in my enzyme fluctuations tied to a specific OTC medication none of my 'adult' doctors had questioned. She coordinated with my cardiologist to adjust my treatment holistically. My LFTs are the most stable they've been in 10 years. Her clinic at Medical Park Bahçelievler is a haven of profound, detail-oriented medicine.

It was 3 AM when our 4-year-old son, Kaan, was rushed to the emergency department with sudden, projectile bilious vomiting and a distended abdomen. The on-call surgeon suspected volvulus. Dr. Erdem, who was not on duty, was called due to her hepatology expertise regarding his pre-existing biliary condition. She arrived within 20 minutes, her presence instantly calming the chaotic ER. She performed a critical ultrasound herself, ruling out volvulus but identifying a severe intussusception complicated by his unique anatomy. She guided the radiologist through a modified, successful air reduction, avoiding emergency surgery. Her swift, decisive action in that crisis saved his bowel and spared him major surgery.

We brought our 15-year-old daughter, Zeynep, for what we thought was a routine follow-up for her managed celiac disease. She was 'fine' on paper. Dr. Erdem, however, focused not just on the bloodwork but on Zeynep herself, her posture, a slight hesitation in her voice. With gentle, persistent questioning away from us parents, she uncovered that Zeynep was secretly purging due to anxiety about 'contaminated' food at school events, fearing a relapse. Dr. Erdem pivoted the entire visit, bringing in a nutritionist and psychologist for a same-day, collaborative intervention. This wasn't a checkup; it was an act of deep, perceptive care that addressed the illness behind the disease.