M.D. Serap Sapmaz Deniz

A 14-year-old competitive figure skater from a wealthy family presented with unexplained fatigue and declining performance. Dr. Deniz discovered a previously undiagnosed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome during a comprehensive cardiac workup, coordinating with pediatric cardiology to perform a successful catheter ablation. The patient returned to competition within three months, with her athletic training now carefully monitored.

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. Deniz diagnosed a rare metabolic disorder (maple syrup urine disease) through specialized testing, organizing a multidisciplinary team including a nutritionist and social worker to create a sustainable low-protein diet plan despite the family's limited resources.

An 8-year-old boy from a rural Anatolian village was brought by his grandparents after months of mysterious abdominal pain. Dr. Deniz identified lead poisoning from traditional pottery used for food storage, coordinating with public health officials to test other village children while providing chelation therapy. The case prompted a regional awareness campaign about traditional craft safety.

A 16-year-old aspiring ballet dancer from an upper-middle-class family developed sudden joint hypermobility and chronic pain. Dr. Deniz diagnosed Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type III, collaborating with physiotherapists to create a customized strengthening program that allowed the patient to continue dancing with modified technique and joint protection strategies.