Patient Experience
A 14-year-old competitive figure skater from a high-income family presented with unexplained fatigue and declining performance. Dr. Turhan, suspecting more than overtraining, discovered a previously undiagnosed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome through meticulous cardiac evaluation. She coordinated with pediatric cardiology to perform a successful catheter ablation, allowing the athlete to return to competition within three months with a carefully monitored training regimen.
A 3-year-old refugee child from Syria, recently resettled in Istanbul with his single mother, arrived with severe failure to thrive and developmental delays. Dr. Turhan diagnosed severe celiac disease complicated by nutritional deficiencies. She created a culturally sensitive gluten-free diet plan using affordable local ingredients, connected the family with a refugee support organization for food assistance, and saw the child gain 4 kilograms and reach developmental milestones within six months.
A 7-year-old girl from a rural Anatolian village presented with mysterious cyclical fevers and joint pain that local doctors had dismissed as 'growing pains.' Dr. Turhan recognized the pattern of Periodic Fever Syndrome (PFAPA) and initiated a treatment plan with colchicine prophylaxis. She trained the family in symptom tracking using a simple notebook system, reducing emergency department visits from monthly to twice yearly.
An 11-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder and nonverbal communication was brought in with self-injurious head-banging behaviors. Rather than immediately prescribing sedatives, Dr. Turhan discovered through careful observation and parent interviews that the behaviors coincided with severe gastroesophageal reflux. Treatment with proton pump inhibitors and dietary modifications reduced the self-injurious behaviors by 80% within eight weeks.
A 16-year-old transgender male patient from a conservative family sought care for persistent fatigue. Dr. Turhan provided gender-affirming care while diagnosing severe iron-deficiency anemia related to menstrual issues. She navigated sensitive family dynamics to initiate both hormonal therapy and iron supplementation, improving both the patient's physical health and mental wellbeing through collaborative care with a pediatric endocrinologist.
A 5-year-old patient with complex congenital heart disease (tetralogy of Fallot repair) presented with cyanotic episodes during play. Dr. Turhan identified pulmonary hypertension exacerbation rather than cardiac decompensation. She implemented a novel combination therapy including sildenafil and carefully monitored oxygen therapy during physical activity, allowing the child to participate in modified preschool activities for the first time.
A 9-year-old from a family of traveling Romani performers presented with recurrent severe abdominal pain during performances. Dr. Turhan diagnosed abdominal migraine triggered by performance anxiety and flashing lights. She created a portable treatment kit including non-pharmacological interventions (pressure point bands, tinted glasses) and rescue medications that fit the family's nomadic lifestyle.
A 13-year-old elite chess prodigy developed psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) before major tournaments. Dr. Turhan collaborated with a child psychologist to create a multidisciplinary treatment plan incorporating biofeedback training, cognitive behavioral techniques, and a modified tournament schedule. The patient returned to competitive chess with reduced seizure frequency and improved coping mechanisms.
A 2-year-old adopted from the Ukrainian foster system presented with severe attachment disorder and feeding difficulties. Dr. Turhan diagnosed pediatric feeding disorder and implemented a novel responsive feeding therapy program that involved both adoptive parents in every session. She incorporated sensory integration techniques that improved feeding acceptance from 3 to 15 food types within four months.
A 15-year-old professional junior tennis player developed unexplained exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Dr. Turhan identified a rare combination of food-dependent exercise-induced allergy to wheat. She created a detailed management plan including pre-exercise dietary restrictions, emergency action protocols for coaches, and successfully advocated for the patient to carry epinephrine auto-injectors during international tournaments.
A 6-year-old hearing-impaired child with cochlear implants presented with recurrent meningitis episodes. Dr. Turhan identified a cerebrospinal fluid leak through the cochlear implant tract. She coordinated with neurosurgery and ENT specialists for surgical repair while creating visual communication tools to explain procedures to the patient, preventing further infections for over two years.
A 12-year-old from a low-income single-parent household presented with deteriorating academic performance and headaches. Previous providers had prescribed glasses, but Dr. Turhan identified idiopathic intracranial hypertension through fundoscopic examination. She initiated acetazolamide therapy and arranged for the hospital's charity fund to cover medication costs, with dramatic improvement in symptoms and school performance within three weeks.
A 4-year-old with severe eczema since infancy had failed multiple conventional treatments. Dr. Turhan diagnosed a rare immunodeficiency (DOCK8 deficiency) through advanced genetic testing. She initiated targeted therapy and created a comprehensive skin care protocol that reduced hospitalizations for skin infections from monthly to quarterly.
An 8-year-old survivor of the 2023 Turkey earthquake presented with new-onset nocturnal enuresis and anxiety symptoms. Dr. Turhan diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder with somatic manifestations. She implemented trauma-informed care including play therapy referrals, scheduled voiding protocols, and coordinated with school counselors for classroom accommodations during recovery.
A 10-month-old infant of consanguineous parents presented with developmental regression and strange eye movements. Dr. Turhan suspected a neurodegenerative disorder and diagnosed Tay-Sachs disease through enzymatic testing. She provided compassionate family counseling, connected the family with rare disease support networks, and implemented palliative care focused on quality of life from diagnosis onward.
Our 11-year-old son, a technology enthusiast, developed severe reactions to electromagnetic fields that baffled doctors. Dr. Akkelle identified it as an immune-mediated hypersensitivity and created a gradual desensitization protocol using controlled exposure. He now uses his tablet for coding lessons.
After our 4-year-old's third episode of idiopathic angioedema, Dr. Akkelle diagnosed hereditary angioedema type III through specialized testing he initiated. His proactive treatment plan uses on-demand therapy we keep at home, no ER visits in the past year.
My 13-year-old patient with common variable immunodeficiency struggled with intravenous therapy anxiety. Dr. Akkelle introduced a novel subcutaneous delivery system with a wearable device that administers medication overnight. Her school attendance improved from 60% to 95%.
I'm a 78-year-old retired sailor who thought my depth perception issues were just old age. Dr. Yamic discovered a developing cataract in my right eye that was subtly distorting my vision. What impressed me most was how he explained everything using nautical metaphors I could understand, 'your lens is getting foggy like a porthole in rough seas.' The femtosecond laser cataract surgery felt like nothing, and now I can read my maritime charts without squinting. His post-op care was meticulous; he even adjusted my eye drops when I mentioned minor dryness during my Istanbul winds. A true captain of ophthalmology.
Our 8-year-old daughter suddenly developed a severe sensitivity to light and was rubbing her eyes constantly. We rushed to Medical Park Maltepe in panic. Dr. Murat Yamic examined her with such gentle patience, using cartoon animal pictures on the wall to guide her gaze. He diagnosed pediatric uveitis, something our local doctor had missed. His emergency treatment protocol was immediate and precise. He spoke directly to our daughter, calling her 'brave explorer,' which calmed her completely. Three months of follow-ups later, her inflammation is fully resolved. He saved her vision with both expertise and extraordinary kindness.