Assoc. Prof. Dr. Betül Mazlum

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Betül Mazlum is a specialist in Pediatric & Adolescent Psychiatry working in the Psychiatry & Psychology unit at Acibadem Altunizade Hospital in İstanbul. She has more than 25 years in medicine and joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services in 2017. Her clinical work centers on child and adolescent mental health, dyslexia, and cognitive and behavioral therapies. She is a member of the Child and Youth Mental Health Association, the Disleksi Association, and the Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies Association.

Dr. Mazlum graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 2001 and completed her specialty training in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Diseases at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 2007. In 2003 she took part in a clinical and educational rotation at Harvard University, Children’s Hospital, Boston. From 2005 to 2006 she worked at Yale University, Department of Genetics, Program on Neurogenetics, in New Haven, Connecticut, where Matthew State, MD PhD, was her principal instructor. In 2010 she began doctoral study as a PhD student in Advanced Neurological Sciences at İstanbul University, Institute of Experimental Medicine Research, Department of Neuroscience. Her professional experience includes posts as a Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Diseases Specialist at Trabzon Maternity and Children’s Care Home (2007–2009, as part of her compulsory state service obligation), Zeynep Kamil Women’s and Children’s Diseases Training and Research Hospital (2009–2010), and Private Emsey Hospital (2012–2015).

Clinical focus

Dr. Mazlum provides psychiatric assessment and care for children and adolescents. Her areas of expertise include child and adolescent mental health in general, dyslexia, and the use of cognitive therapies and behavioral therapies. Assessment in this age group takes into account the young person’s developmental stage and family context, and the choice of any therapeutic approach depends on the individual clinical picture.

Her published work reflects an interest in the neurological and genetic background of childhood conditions. Selected publications include an article on neonatal hypoglycemia as a risk factor in Autism Spectrum Disorder (Journal of Child and Youth Mental Health, 2016), a paper on when EEG is indicated in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (J Child Neurol, 2015), a case report on exacerbation of tics in a patient with Tourette Syndrome (J Clin Psychopharm, 2015), a report on a balanced t(10;15) translocation in a male patient with developmental language disorder (European Journal of Medical Genetics, 2012), and a review of antioxidant vitamins and their use in psychiatry (Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar, 2012).

How Dr. Mazlum works with international patients

Dr. Mazlum speaks Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for families who need them. The Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and any existing imaging, arranges appointments, and organizes the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the child’s or adolescent’s history and symptoms, a review of previous assessments and treatments, a clinical evaluation, and a discussion of the options that may be considered. Video consultation is available for international patients who would like to discuss a case before or instead of traveling.