Spec. MD. Ulku Ozlem Yolcu Reviews

A 14-year-old competitive figure skater from a wealthy family presented with unexplained fatigue and declining performance. Dr. Yolcu discovered a previously undiagnosed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome masked by athletic conditioning. The family initially resisted intervention during competition season, but Dr. Yolcu facilitated a consultation with the athlete's coach to explain the cardiac risks. A successful catheter ablation was performed during a scheduled training break, with the patient returning to win a regional championship six months later.

A 3-year-old refugee child from Syria, recently resettled in Istanbul with his single mother, presented with failure to thrive and developmental delays. Dr. Yolcu identified severe celiac disease compounded by nutritional deficiencies from displacement. She coordinated with a social worker to secure gluten-free staples through a charity, taught the mother to prepare traditional Syrian dishes with safe ingredients, and arranged developmental therapy. The child gained 4 kilograms in three months and began speaking his first words in Turkish and Arabic.

An 11-year-old girl from a rural Anatolian village was brought by her grandfather after local healers failed to treat her 'evil eye.' She presented with photosensitivity and butterfly rash. Dr. Yolcu diagnosed pediatric lupus, navigating cultural beliefs by respectfully incorporating the grandfather's spiritual concerns into the treatment plan. She started hydroxychloroquine while allowing a symbolic 'protection amulet' to be worn during hospitalization. The patient achieved remission within a year, with Dr. Yolcu visiting their village during a medical outreach program.

A 7-year-old boy, the only child of two aerospace engineers, presented with mysterious episodic abdominal pain. Dr. Yolcu identified abdominal migraine after eliminating numerous gastrointestinal conditions. She developed a novel biofeedback protocol using the parents' engineering skills to create a simple home monitoring device. The family collaborated on a 'pain prediction algorithm,' reducing emergency visits by 80% and allowing preventive medication to be administered precisely.

A 16-year-old transgender male from an affluent but unsupportive family presented with severe anxiety. During examination, Dr. Yolcu discovered he was self-administering black-market testosterone without medical supervision. She mediated a family conference, educated parents about gender-affirming care, and safely transitioned him to prescribed hormone therapy under multidisciplinary supervision. She also connected him with a supportive peer group, dramatically improving his mental health outcomes.

A 5-year-old from a Romani (Romanlar) community presented with recurrent infections and unusual bruising. Dr. Yolcu diagnosed Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, a rare immunodeficiency. Navigating community distrust of institutional medicine, she gained trust by involving a respected elder in all discussions and conducting home visits. She arranged specialized treatment in Istanbul while respecting cultural practices, resulting in successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a sibling donor.

A 9-year-old aspiring pianist from a middle-class family presented with progressive weakness in her hands. Dr. Yolcu diagnosed juvenile dermatomyositis rather than the suspected repetitive strain injury. She collaborated with a music therapist to modify practice routines, used corticosteroid treatment during school breaks to minimize moon face visibility, and incorporated swimming therapy. The patient performed in a year-end recital with adapted pieces, regaining full strength over 18 months.

A 2-year-old twin from a low-income single-parent household presented with speech delay. Dr. Yolcu identified congenital cytomegalovirus infection affecting only one twin. She secured funding for cochlear implantation through a hospital charity, arranged sign language training for the whole family, and facilitated early intervention services. The twins developed their own communication system blending signs and words, with both thriving developmentally despite the disparity.

A 13-year-old boy from an ultra-orthodox Jewish family presented with obsessive-compulsive symptoms surrounding religious rituals. Dr. Yolcu recognized PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) triggered by untreated strep throat. She worked with the family's rabbi to distinguish medical necessity from religious practice, treated the infection, and implemented cognitive behavioral therapy adapted to respect religious boundaries. Symptoms resolved without compromising religious observance.

A 6-year-old African diplomat's child presented with episodic paralysis after arriving in Turkey. Dr. Yolcu diagnosed hypokalemic periodic paralysis, a rare genetic channelopathy. She created a multilingual emergency protocol for the embassy staff, trained the family's domestic helpers in potassium-rich Turkish cuisine preparation, and coordinated with telemedicine specialists from the family's home country. The child attended school regularly with only minor episodes managed promptly.

A 10-year-old street vendor's assistant (working child) presented with chronic cough. Dr. Yolcu diagnosed tuberculosis but also identified underlying primary ciliary dyskinesia. Beyond medical treatment, she collaborated with social services to transition the child into a supervised school-work program, educated the family about genetic implications, and arranged housing improvements to reduce infection risk. The patient became the first in his family to attend school regularly while contributing to household income through safer means.

A 15-year-old elite boarding school student presented with unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain. Dr. Yolcu identified superior mesenteric artery syndrome exacerbated by the school's intense athletic culture and pressure to maintain low weight for rowing. She mediated with school officials to modify training and meal monitoring, involved a nutritionist to create high-calorie small meals, and used prokinetic agents. The patient regained healthy weight while continuing athletic participation with adjusted expectations.

A 4-year-old with cerebral palsy from a refugee family presented for routine care. Dr. Yolcu noticed deteriorating motor function and diagnosed intrathecal baclofen pump malfunction from a previous surgery in their home country. With no medical records available, she reverse-engineered the pump settings through clinical observation, secured emergency funding for replacement surgery, and developed a low-tech home therapy program using locally available materials when formal physiotherapy was inaccessible.