Pediatrics

Which Diseases and Conditions Are Treated?

Many acute and chronic health issues encountered during childhood are meticulously evaluated in our department. The main conditions we address include:

• Upper and lower respiratory tract infections (Especially the RSV virus, flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia, which are common in winter months)
• Gastrointestinal infections, and illnesses presenting with diarrhea and vomiting
• Urinary tract infections and early signs of kidney diseases
• Growth and developmental delays, short stature, and failure to gain weight
• Childhood eruptive diseases (Chickenpox, measles, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, etc.)
• Allergic reactions, asthma, and atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (Iron deficiency anemia, Vitamin D deficiency)

Diagnostic Methods

Proper treatment begins with an accurate and swift diagnosis. Our hospital utilizes up-to-date diagnostic methods offered by modern medicine for our pediatric patients. Depending on your child's symptoms, our physicians may use the following diagnostic tools:

• Laboratory Tests: Detection of infections, anemia, or metabolic conditions through blood, urine, and stool (feces) tests.
• Rapid Antigen Tests: Throat cultures and rapid tests that allow infections like Influenza (Flu), RSV, and Strep-A to be diagnosed within minutes.
• Imaging Methods: Low-radiation dose X-rays for children, ultrasonography, and, when necessary, MRI or CT scans.
• Allergy Tests: Specific allergy panels applied for frequently recurring respiratory complaints or skin rashes.

Treatment Methods and Practices

Treatments and follow-ups applied in our department are personalized according to your child's age, developmental characteristics, and medical needs.

Newborn Care

The first 28 days of your baby's life are known as the newborn period and are of vital importance. Our neonatologists and specialized nurses perform your baby's first examination in the delivery room or the baby room. During the follow-up examination within the first 48-72 hours after discharge, jaundice risk, weight loss, and nutritional status are evaluated. Breast milk and breastfeeding counseling are provided to help mothers adapt to this process. Additionally, routine screenings such as heel prick tests, hearing tests, and hip ultrasounds are meticulously planned at our hospital.

Well-Child Visits

The most important part of pediatric practice is the well-child visit. Even if there are no signs of illness, children should be examined at regular intervals. During these follow-ups, height, weight, and head circumference are measured, and growth curves (percentiles) are evaluated. Neuromotor development, language development, and social skills are checked according to age. For school-aged children, sleep patterns and eating habits are of great importance. For detailed information on this topic, you can review our guide on the importance of maintaining sleep routines during holidays.

Childhood Vaccination Schedule and Administration

Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to protect against infectious diseases. Our department fully implements the national childhood vaccination schedule determined by the Ministry of Health. In addition, vaccines that are not on the national schedule but are of great importance for child health, such as Rotavirus (diarrhea vaccine), Meningococcus (meningitis vaccine), and HPV (cervical cancer vaccine), are also administered with the recommendation of our physicians and the consent of the family.

Childhood Infections

Children in daycare and school are more susceptible to infections as they enter crowded environments. Febrile illnesses, tonsillitis, and ear infections are common during this period. Evidence-based medicine practices are preferred in treatment planning, avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use. Hand hygiene plays a critical role in preventing infections. To help your child acquire this habit, you can take a look at our article on hygiene and handwashing habits for children during the school term.

Technology and Team

The Pediatrics Department at BHT CLINIC Istanbul Tema Hospital consists of experienced physicians who are experts in their fields and have strong communication skills with children. Uzm. Dr. Oktay Murat KIRÇUVAL, Dr. Öğretim Üyesi İhsan BAŞPINAR, Uzm. Dr. Mustafa Sahtiyancı, Uzm. Dr. Seyit Ahmet Gürakan, and Uzm. Dr. Harun BAHAT provide services by following current medical approaches for your children's health. For emergencies, our 24/7 emergency department offers fast and safe intervention for pediatric patients. Our medical equipment park is equipped with low-radiation and high-resolution imaging systems suitable for the anatomical structure of children.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

Symptoms of illness in children can progress much faster than in adults. It is important to consult a pediatrician without delay if you observe the following conditions:

• A fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, especially in infants under 3 months old
• High fever that cannot be reduced or lasts longer than 3 days
• Rapid breathing, chest retractions while breathing, or wheezing
• Continuous crying, inability to be consoled, or extreme sleepiness (lethargy)
• Recurrent projectile vomiting and severe diarrhea
• Sudden rashes that do not fade when pressed, and bruises on the body
• Inability to take in enough fluids, significant decrease in urine output, and absence of tears

Appointment and Examination Process

Booking an appointment before coming to our hospital for your child's examination will minimize your waiting time. Bringing your child's vaccination card, previous test results (if any), and a list of the medications they use will assist our physicians during the evaluation. During the visit, your child's height and weight will be measured by our nurses, followed by a detailed physical examination by our physician.

To schedule an evaluation immediately and consult with our specialist physicians, you can call our call center at 0850 811 34 00 or easily complete your procedures via our online appointment page.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what temperature should a child with a fever be taken to the hospital?

For infants under three months of age, you should seek hospital care without delay when their fever reaches 38°C (100.4°F) or higher. For older children, a physician's evaluation is absolutely necessary if the fever reaches 39°C (102.2°F), does not go down despite antipyretics, or is accompanied by additional symptoms such as confusion, continuous vomiting, or shortness of breath.

When should the first examination of newborn babies be done?

The first examination is performed in the delivery room immediately after the baby is born. The first follow-up examination after discharge from the hospital should generally be carried out within 48 to 72 hours. During this check-up, the baby's weight, jaundice risk, and breast milk intake are evaluated.

How often should well-child visits be scheduled?

Well-child visits should be conducted in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 9th, and 12th months during the baby's first year. Between the ages of 1 and 3, they should be done every six months. After the age of 3, a routine check-up is recommended at least once a year, even if there are no health problems.

What should I do if there is a delay in my child's vaccination schedule?

If there is a delay in the vaccination schedule due to an illness or a special circumstance, vaccinations are not started from the beginning. Your pediatrician will create a catch-up vaccination schedule by rescheduling the missed vaccines according to your child's current age and condition.

Is there a pediatric emergency service at BHT CLINIC?

Yes, our hospital's emergency department provides uninterrupted service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In emergencies, pediatric patients are rapidly evaluated by our on-call physicians and experienced medical staff, and necessary interventions are performed.