Prof. MD. Aylin Canbolat Ayhan Reviews

A 14-year-old competitive gymnast from a middle-class family presented with unexplained fatigue and jaundice. Dr. Ayhan discovered a rare autoimmune hepatitis triggered by intense physical stress. The treatment involved a carefully calibrated steroid regimen alongside nutritional counseling to support bone health during growth spurts. The patient's recovery required 8 months of gradual reintroduction to training, with Dr. Ayhan coordinating closely with the sports medicine team to prevent relapse.

A 3-year-old refugee child from Syria, recently resettled in Istanbul with his single mother, arrived with severe hepatomegaly and failure to thrive. Dr. Ayhan diagnosed Wilson's disease, unusual at such a young age. The challenge involved managing copper chelation therapy while navigating language barriers and the family's precarious living situation. Dr. Ayhan secured charitable funding for medication and arranged community health worker support. After 18 months, the child showed remarkable improvement, catching up on developmental milestones.

An 11-year-old girl from a remote Black Sea village presented with recurrent pruritus and dark urine. Local doctors had misdiagnosed it as allergies. Dr. Ayhan identified progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 through genetic testing. She initiated a novel combination of ursodeoxycholic acid and rifampicin, while arranging for the family's temporary housing near the hospital. The treatment stabilized liver function, delaying transplant necessity by several years, a significant victory given the organ shortage for children.

A 7-year-old boy, son of a Turkish diplomat recently returned from Southeast Asia, developed acute liver failure with encephalopathy. Dr. Ayhan suspected aflatoxin poisoning from contaminated peanuts, confirmed through toxicology screening. She managed the crisis with molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) therapy, a first for her department in a pediatric case. The boy made a full recovery after three weeks of intensive care, with Dr. Ayhan implementing dietary education for the entire diplomatic community.

A 16-year-old aspiring musician from an affluent family presented with mildly elevated liver enzymes during a routine check-up. Dr. Ayhan discovered non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) linked to a high-fructose diet from energy drinks consumed during marathon practice sessions. Instead of medication, she prescribed a tailored Mediterranean diet and collaborated with a music therapist to address performance anxiety. Within six months, liver enzymes normalized through lifestyle changes alone.

A 5-month-old infant from a conservative rural family presented with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The parents resisted initial testing due to cultural beliefs about blood draws. Dr. Ayhan spent weeks building trust, eventually diagnosing biliary atresia through intraoperative cholangiogram. She performed a Kasai procedure at the optimal window, then provided the family with illustrated care instructions. The procedure's success prevented transplant need, with Dr. Ayhan maintaining contact through telemedicine for follow-up.

A 9-year-old boy with Down syndrome developed unexplained cirrhosis. Dr. Ayhan identified a rare association with transient myeloproliferative disorder that had resolved in infancy but left hepatic fibrosis. She designed a hepatoprotective regimen accounting for his concurrent cardiac issues, coordinating with cardiology. The multidisciplinary approach stabilized his condition, allowing him to participate in Special Olympics, a outcome his family hadn't dared hope for.

A 13-year-old girl adopted from Ethiopia at age 8 presented with portal hypertension. Dr. Ayhan traced it to schistosomiasis contracted in childhood, with atypical presentation due to partial treatment history. She managed the complex case with praziquantel and beta-blockers while addressing the psychological trauma of medical procedures through art therapy. The girl's portal pressure decreased significantly over two years, avoiding shunt surgery.

A 2-year-old toddler from a family of consanguineous marriage presented with hypoglycemia and hepatomegaly. Dr. Ayhan diagnosed glycogen storage disease type Ia through liver biopsy and genetic testing. She implemented continuous nocturnal gastric drip feeding with specialized formula, a challenging routine for the family. Through dedicated training and support group connections, the parents mastered the care, preventing neurological damage from hypoglycemic episodes.

A 15-year-old transgender boy on testosterone therapy developed drug-induced liver injury. Dr. Ayhan worked sensitively with both the patient and his disapproving family, identifying the hepatotoxicity while protecting his gender-affirming care. She adjusted the regimen and introduced hepatoprotectants, maintaining his transition while safeguarding liver health. This required delicate negotiation with endocrinology and family counseling, a holistic approach rare in pediatric hepatology.

A 6-year-old Roma child presented with severe vitamin K deficiency bleeding and cholestasis. Dr. Ayhan diagnosed Alagille syndrome with atypical cardiac involvement. She managed the complex nutritional and hepatic issues while navigating the family's nomadic lifestyle, creating a portable care plan with pictograms. The innovative approach reduced hospitalizations by 70% over the following year through community health outreach.

An 8-year-old girl from an academic family presented with recurrent cholangitis post-Kasai. Dr. Ayhan discovered a rare anatomical variant requiring revision surgery. She pioneered a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach adapted from adult techniques, reducing recovery time from months to weeks. The girl returned to school full-time within a month, a testament to surgical innovation in pediatric hepatology.

A 12-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder developed acute hepatitis of unknown origin. Dr. Ayhan identified a severe reaction to valproate prescribed for seizures, complicated by nonverbal communication challenges. She developed a sensory-friendly examination protocol and used pictorial pain scales to guide treatment. Switching to alternative antiepileptics resolved the hepatitis while maintaining seizure control, a delicate balance achieved through meticulous monitoring.

A 4-year-old from a low-income neighborhood presented with hepatoblastoma detected during a charity screening. Dr. Ayhan coordinated neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, and adjuvant treatment while securing complete financial coverage through hospital foundations. The family's active involvement in support programs transformed them into community health advocates. Two years later, the child remains cancer-free, with the family leading local awareness campaigns.

A 10-year-old competitive swimmer developed Budd-Chiari syndrome following a mild COVID-19 infection. Dr. Ayhan identified a previously undiagnosed prothrombotic condition triggered by the virus. She managed the acute thrombosis with thrombolysis and established long-term anticoagulation, collaborating with sports physicians to create a safe return-to-swim protocol. The athlete returned to national competitions within a year under careful hematological monitoring.