Prof. Leyla Ağaoğlu, MD

Prof. Leyla Ağaoğlu, MD is a pediatrician with subspecialty training in pediatric hematology. She sees patients in the Pediatrics unit of Acibadem Fulya Hospital in İstanbul, and her clinical work centers on iron deficiency in children, pediatric anemia, leukemia and lymphoma. She has more than 59 years in medicine and has been with Acıbadem Healthcare Services since 2007.

Dr. Ağaoğlu studied at İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine from 1967 to 1973 and trained in pediatrics at İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, where she worked as a specialist in the Department of Pediatrics from 1973 to 1979. She was a fellow at the Chicago University Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology from 1979 to 1981 and later a fellow at the Chicago University Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit from 1987 to 1988. At İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine she became Associate Professor of Pediatrics in 1982 and Professor in 1988. She chaired the Department of Pediatrics Hematology and Oncology from 1982 to 1986, the İstanbul University Oncology Institute Department of Pediatric Oncology from 1985 to 1993, and the Department of Hematology and Oncology from 1994 to 1997, after which she remained a faculty member of the department until 2013. Her memberships include the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the Turkish Pediatric Oncology Group Association (TPOG) and Türk Pediatri Kurumu.

Clinical focus

Dr. Ağaoğlu evaluates and follows children with blood disorders. A large part of her practice involves iron deficiency and other forms of anemia in children. Her published work in this area includes a randomized trial comparing iron hydroxide polymaltose complex with ferrous sulfate in pediatric patients with iron deficiency anemia, and studies on the effects of iron deficiency anemia on cognitive function and on the immune system in children. She has also contributed to multicenter studies of oral iron chelation in patients with beta-thalassemia.

In pediatric hematology and oncology she assesses children with leukemia and lymphoma. Her co-authored publications in this field include work on the prognostic significance of NOTCH1 and FBXW7 mutations in pediatric T-ALL and on genetic factors in pediatric de novo acute leukemia. Assessment and any treatment plan are decided on a case-by-case basis after review of the child’s history, examination findings and test results.

How Dr. Ağaoğlu works with international patients

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