Dr. Ayça Sözen

A 14-year-old competitive figure skater from a wealthy family presented with unexplained fatigue and declining performance. Dr. Sözen discovered a previously undiagnosed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome during a routine sports physical, coordinating with cardiology to perform a successful catheter ablation. The patient returned to competition within three months, with her family funding a new cardiac monitoring program for young athletes at the hospital.

A 3-year-old refugee child from Syria, recently resettled in Istanbul with his single mother, presented with severe developmental delays and failure to thrive. Dr. Sözen diagnosed a rare metabolic disorder (maple syrup urine disease) through extensive testing, organizing a multidisciplinary team including a nutritionist and social worker. She secured charitable hospital funds for specialized formula and arranged Turkish language classes for the mother during appointments.

An 8-year-old boy from a middle-class family presented with what appeared to be behavioral issues and school refusal. Dr. Sözen identified Alice in Wonderland syndrome (micropsia) through careful history-taking, discovering the child was experiencing disturbing perceptual distortions. She initiated a migraine prophylaxis treatment and collaborated with a child psychologist, resulting in complete symptom resolution and improved academic performance.

A 16-year-old exchange student from Germany developed sudden paralysis during her stay in Istanbul. Dr. Sözen diagnosed conversion disorder triggered by cultural adjustment stress and hidden family conflicts back home. She employed a novel approach combining play therapy adapted for adolescents with family video sessions, achieving gradual functional recovery over six weeks without medication.