Prof. Gül Sağın Saylam, MD

Prof. Gül Sağın Saylam, MD is a pediatric cardiologist who sees patients within the Pediatrics unit at Acibadem Fulya Hospital and Acibadem Dr. Sinasi Can (Kadikoy) Hospital in İstanbul. Her clinical work is concerned with congenital heart disease, atrial septal defect (ASD) and heart valve problems in children. She has more than 51 years in medicine and consults in Turkish and English.

Dr. Saylam graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 1981 and completed her training in Pediatrics at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 1986. She then trained in Pediatric Cardiology at İstanbul University Cardiology Institute, finishing in 1991. Between 1993 and 1994 she worked at Royal Brampton National Heart and Lung Hospital, London. From 1996 to 2016 she was part of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, where she became Professor in 2002, and from 2011 to 2016 she also worked in the Department of Pediatric Cardiology at İstanbul University Cardiology Institute. She joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services in 2011. Her professional memberships include the Turkish Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Association, the European Pediatric Cardiology Association, the Asia-Pacific Pediatric Cardiology Association, the Asia Pacific Adult Congenital Heart Disease Association, the Turkish Cardiology Association, the Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery Association, Milli Pediatri Derrneği, the Turkish Medical Association and the Ted Ankara Koleji Mezunlar Association.

Clinical focus

Dr. Saylam’s practice centers on congenital heart disease in children, that is, structural heart conditions that are present from birth. This includes the assessment and follow-up of atrial septal defect (ASD), an opening in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart, and of heart valve problems, in which one or more of the heart’s valves does not open or close as it should. In each case the aim of the pediatric cardiology assessment is to establish the nature of the condition, to judge how it is affecting the child at that time and to discuss which forms of monitoring or treatment may be appropriate.

Because congenital heart conditions vary widely in type and severity, the approach depends on the individual child. Some findings call only for periodic observation, while others may require further investigation or intervention. Dr. Saylam’s long experience in university pediatric cardiology departments informs the way she reviews existing findings and explains the options to families.

How Dr. Saylam works with international patients

Dr. Saylam consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for families who speak other languages. Before a visit, the hospital’s international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, such as ultrasound, MRI, CT or X-ray reports, laboratory results, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit itself. A first consultation typically covers the child’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and any previous treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the possible options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their child’s case before deciding whether to travel.