Memorial Şişli Hospital
With over 25 years of clinical and academic experience, the doctor is a highly accomplished specialist in Orthopedics and Traumatology. Clinical expertise encompasses hand surgery, foot and ankle surgery, arthroplasty, orthopedic oncology, and trauma surgery. The doctor has held significant positions at various training and research hospitals, including serving as a founding specialist at the Hand Surgery Clinic of Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital.
The doctor has pursued international professional development, including an observership at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago. After being appointed Associate Professor in 2018, the doctor attained the rank of Professor in 2024 and currently practices as a specialist in Orthopedics and Traumatology.
Dr. Siar Dursun is a pediatric neurologist at Medipol University Pendik Hospital in Istanbul. He specializes in treating complex neurological conditions in children, including epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Dr. Dursun completed his medical training at Adnan Menderes University and Izmir Research Hospital. He works at a university-affiliated center that serves 350,000 patients annually.
Dr. Ibrahim Ziyal is a neurosurgeon at Memorial Göztepe Hospital in Istanbul. He specializes in skull base tumors, pituitary surgery, and cerebrovascular conditions. Dr. Ziyal served as the Head of Neurosurgery at Marmara University for over a decade. He completed clinical research fellowships at George Washington University and the São Paulo Institute.
Turkey offers advanced Spinal Muscular Atrophy treatments through disease-modifying therapies and multidisciplinary care protocols. The primary treatment available is Nusinersen (Spinraza), which is managed via national healthcare frameworks. Major JCI-accredited centers in Istanbul and Eskisehir provide comprehensive neurological monitoring and physical rehabilitation programs.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many search for medication alone, Turkey's advantage lies in its specialized rehabilitation infrastructure. Fizyomer Terapia reports a 98% success rate in their pediatric neuro-rehabilitation programs. Patients should prioritize clinics with integrated physical therapy centers to maximize the benefits of drug treatments like Spinraza.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that starting treatment quickly leads to better results because timing is vital. They also note that ongoing physical therapy and respiratory support are just as important as the medication itself.
Zolgensma is medically approved for SMA patients under 2 years old in Turkey. Access depends on clinical weight limits and specific genetic criteria. Turkish regulators typically follow European guidelines. These guidelines prioritize early intervention for infants diagnosed through mandatory newborn screening programs.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish healthcare hubs like Memorial Sisli Hospital often serve complex genetic cases. While official state reimbursement lists are still evolving, top-tier centers maintain multi-specialty teams. These teams help navigate the transition from initial diagnosis to gene therapy administration. Families often start with screening at accredited facilities to secure medical reports for fundraising or legal petitions.
Patient Consensus: Parents emphasize that confirming the weight limit is as vital as age. They note that starting the process immediately after newborn screening is essential for meeting strict timing windows.
Turkey provides a mandatory national Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) screening program. Launched in 2021, the initiative includes free carrier tests for couples before marriage. Newborn screening followed in May 2022. These services identify risks early to allow for immediate medical intervention.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish hospitals like Memorial Şişli integrate advanced genetics departments with IVF units to manage SMA prevention. Our data suggests choosing centers with Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation for PGT procedures. These facilities handle high patient volumes from 160+ countries, ensuring genetic protocols meet international safety standards.
Patient Consensus: Families view Turkey as highly proactive because screening is routine. They emphasize that identifying SMA at birth is vital since treatment success depends on starting before symptoms appear.
The carrier frequency for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Turkey ranges from 1 in 20 to 1 in 44 people. This rate is significantly higher than global averages. Recent national data from 2024 confirms approximately 2.26% of the population carries the SMN1 gene deletion.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkey’s high carrier frequency led to one of the world's most aggressive screening programs. Facilities like Fizyomer Terapia serve over 10,000 patients annually for rehabilitative care. This high volume across Turkish clinics ensures doctors have immense practical experience with rare SMA variants. Couples should prioritize JCI-accredited centers in Istanbul for genetic counseling due to their specialized departments.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the importance of early newborn screening in Turkey to catch symptoms before they worsen. Many note that carrier status is common and stress seeking genetic counseling before starting a family.