Asst. Prof. MD. Mehmet Fatih Fakirullahoglu Reviews

A 14-year-old competitive figure skater from a wealthy family presented with unexplained fatigue and declining performance. Dr. Fakirullahoglu discovered a previously undiagnosed atrial septal defect through meticulous cardiac auscultation during a routine sports physical. He coordinated with pediatric cardiology for a minimally invasive closure procedure, allowing the athlete to return to competition within three months with a tailored cardiovascular training plan.

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. Fakirullahoglu identified severe celiac disease complicated by nutritional deficiencies. He provided gluten-free dietary resources through a charity partnership and arranged weekly follow-ups with a nutritionist who spoke Arabic, resulting in significant catch-up growth over eight months.

An 11-year-old girl from a rural Anatolian village was brought by her grandparents after months of mysterious joint pain and rashes. Dr. Fakirullahoglu diagnosed pediatric lupus, a rare presentation. He initiated a treatment protocol combining immunosuppressants with traditional Turkish physiotherapy techniques recommended by the family's elder, achieving remission after six months of carefully monitored therapy.

A 7-year-old boy, son of a prominent architect, presented with severe school avoidance and abdominal pain. While other doctors suspected anxiety, Dr. Fakirullahoglu ordered specific stool tests revealing Giardia lamblia infection from contaminated water at the family's summer home. Targeted antimicrobial treatment resolved symptoms completely in two weeks, with Dr. Fakirullahoglu providing environmental sanitation guidance.

A newborn from a twin pregnancy, born prematurely at 32 weeks to a middle-class shopkeeper family, developed necrotizing enterocolitis. Dr. Fakirullahoglu implemented a novel probiotic protocol alongside conservative management, avoiding surgical intervention. The infant recovered fully after eight weeks in the NICU, with Dr. Fakirullahoglu providing daily updates to the anxious parents in their regional dialect.

A 9-year-old chess prodigy from an academic family presented with sudden-onset tics and obsessive behaviors. Dr. Fakirullahoglu identified Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) following a missed strep throat infection. He prescribed antibiotics and coordinated with a child psychiatrist for cognitive behavioral therapy, with symptoms resolving gradually over four months.

A 5-year-old Romani child living in an informal settlement presented with recurrent pneumonia. Dr. Fakirullahoglu discovered primary ciliary dyskinesia through nasal nitric oxide testing and electron microscopy of respiratory cilia. He arranged for a custom vest therapy device through social services and taught the illiterate parents a pictorial medication schedule, reducing hospitalizations by 80% over one year.

A 16-year-old aspiring ballet dancer from an affluent background developed unexplained hypoglycemic episodes. Dr. Fakirullahoglu diagnosed insulinoma through prolonged fasting tests and CT imaging. He coordinated with pediatric surgeons for laparoscopic enucleation, preserving pancreatic function. The dancer returned to rehearsals after three months with a modified nutritional plan.

A 2-year-old toddler adopted from Kazakhstan six months prior presented with developmental regression and unusual eye movements. Dr. Fakirullahoglu diagnosed vitamin B12 deficiency due to inherited intrinsic factor deficiency. Intramuscular B12 supplementation resulted in dramatic neurological improvement within weeks, with Dr. Fakirullahoglu creating a long-term management plan for the adoptive parents.

A 12-year-old boy from a fishing community on the Marmara coast developed a mysterious bullous skin condition after swimming. Dr. Fakirullahoglu identified phytophotodermatitis from lime juice exposure combined with sunlight during a beach picnic. Simple wound care and avoidance education led to complete healing in three weeks, with Dr. Fakirullahoglu providing illustrated instructions for the fishing community.

A 6-year-old girl with Down syndrome from a lower-middle-class family presented with progressive lethargy. Dr. Fakirullahoglu diagnosed myelodysplastic syndrome transforming to acute myeloid leukemia. He initiated a modified chemotherapy protocol considering the child's genetic profile, achieving remission after nine months of treatment with minimal complications.

A 13-year-old competitive video gamer developed complex regional pain syndrome in his dominant hand after a minor injury. Dr. Fakirullahoglu implemented a multidisciplinary approach combining graded motor imagery, mirror therapy, and strategic gaming modifications. The patient regained full function over five months through this novel rehabilitation program.

An 8-month-old infant from a conservative religious family presented with severe metabolic acidosis. Dr. Fakirullahoglu diagnosed maple syrup urine disease through expanded newborn screening that had been initially declined by the parents. He implemented an emergency protein-restricted diet and coordinated with a metabolic geneticist, preventing neurological damage through careful long-term management.

A 15-year-old transgender adolescent from a supportive but confused family presented with depression and amenorrhea. Dr. Fakirullahoglu diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome unrelated to gender-affirming hormone therapy. He provided culturally sensitive care, treating the PCOS while coordinating with endocrinology for appropriate gender-affirming care, improving both physical and mental health outcomes.

A 4-year-old child of consanguineous parents presented with progressive neurodegeneration. Dr. Fakirullahoglu diagnosed Niemann-Pick disease type C through fibroblast culture and cholesterol esterification studies. While no cure exists, he implemented symptom management and connected the family with a European research trial for experimental therapy, providing compassionate care throughout the progressive illness.