Assoc. Prof. Dr. İLKAY ER | Hematological Biomarkers | Women Researcher Award 

Associate Professor of Neonatology, MD, at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Turkey.

Dr. İlkay Er, MD, is an accomplished Associate Professor of Neonatology at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, in Rize, Türkiye. With a strong commitment to improving neonatal care, she has focused on research involving prematurity and its complications, neonatal lung function, congenital disorders, neonatal sepsis, and early biomarkers for critical conditions.  She has actively contributed to numerous national and international research projects, authored high-impact scientific papers, and published book chapters in the field of neonatology.  As a mentor and educator, Dr. Er has guided pediatric residents and medical students in advancing their clinical and research skills. Her research has helped shape better approaches for premature care and rare neonatal syndromes, contributing significantly to pediatric medicine. Through her collaborations with national and international neonatology networks, she strives to bridge clinical research with practical healthcare outcomes.

Professional Profile

Scopus

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Education 🎓

Dr. İlkay Er earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in Türkiye, specializing in Pediatrics with an advanced focus on Neonatology. Throughout her medical training, she developed a keen interest in neonatal intensive care, particularly in prematurity-related complications, neonatal lung development, and metabolic bone disorders of prematurity.  To strengthen her research expertise, she undertook specialized training in neonatal lung function testing, infection biomarkers, and congenital disorders. She has participated in numerous continuous medical education programs and international workshops on neonatal research and advanced diagnostic techniques.  Dr. Er also contributed to academic materials, including a chapter on “Whooping Cough” in the book Infectious Diseases of the Newborn (ISBN: 978-605-69477-6-6). Her solid educational foundation and commitment to lifelong learning have allowed her to merge evidence-based medicine with innovative neonatal research, enhancing her expertise as a neonatologist and academic leader.

Experience 💼

Dr. İlkay Er currently serves as an Associate Professor of Neonatology at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Medicine.  She has accumulated extensive experience in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), working on clinical management and improving neonatal outcomes. Her expertise spans diagnostic biomarkers, neonatal sepsis, premature care, lung function in neonates, and congenital syndromes. She has directed multiple institutional and national-level research projects, including those supported by the Scientific Research Projects Unit (BAP). In addition to her clinical work, she is actively involved in academic teaching, mentoring pediatric residents, and conducting workshops on neonatal care innovations.  She has also collaborated with international research networks, contributing to multicenter studies on neonatal COVID-19 outcomes. As a reviewer for prestigious journals, she plays a critical role in ensuring high research standards in neonatology. Her holistic approach combines research, clinical care, education, and mentorship, making her a highly respected figure in neonatal medicine.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. İlkay Er’s research is deeply rooted in neonatal care and innovation, focusing on both clinical and translational medicine. Her primary areas include prematurity care and nutrition, neonatal sepsis and its early biomarkers, congenital lung and genetic disorders, pain management in preterm infants, and neonatal infections with antimicrobial resistance.  She has contributed significantly to understanding lung function in preterm infants using impulse oscillometry and evaluating biomarkers like Immature Platelet Fraction (IPF) in neonatal sepsis and congenital pneumonia.  Her current research projects explore preeclampsia, ductus arteriosus-related inflammatory markers, and non-invasive neonatal pain assessment tools. Additionally, she is interested in neonatal outcomes in COVID-19-exposed infants and vitamin D-related hypocalcemia in newborns. Her multidisciplinary research integrates clinical neonatology, pediatric genetics, and public health, aiming to improve neonatal survival and long-term health outcomes.

Awards 🏅

Dr. İlkay Er has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to neonatal research and clinical care. She received the Best Oral Presentation Award for her study on Impulse Oscillometry Reference Values in Turkish Preschool Children at the 3rd National Pediatric Pulmonology Congress (2018).  Her publications have received notable citations (Web of Science: 108, Scopus: 256, Scholar H-index: 8), reflecting her research impact in neonatology. She has actively participated in 19 international and 10 national scientific congresses, presenting research findings that address critical neonatal issues such as prematurity, congenital disorders, and neonatal sepsis diagnostics. Furthermore, her innovative work on a Silver-Ion Infused, Hygienic Catheter Stopper Design is undergoing patent evaluation, highlighting her commitment to neonatal infection control. She is also a valued member of several professional associations, including the Turkish Neonatology Association and POCUSNEO-Hemodynamics Group, showcasing her active engagement in professional development and knowledge sharing.

Top Noted Publications 📖

Dr. İlkay Er has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, advancing neonatal research globally. Some selected SCI/Scopus-indexed papers include:

1️⃣ Immature Platelet Fraction as a Sensitive Biomarker in Neonatal Sepsis

• Journal: Children

• Year: 2025

• Focus: This study highlights the Immature Platelet Fraction (IPF) as a novel, sensitive biomarker for early detection of neonatal sepsis, potentially outperforming traditional markers like CRP and procalcitonin.

• Key Findings:

  • Elevated IPF correlates strongly with sepsis severity.

  • Provides a rapid and non-invasive diagnostic option.

  • Could guide early intervention and improve neonatal outcomes.

• Impact: Already cited by multiple neonatal sepsis studies, showing its clinical relevance for early diagnosis.

2️⃣ Factors Affecting Lung Function in Preschool Children with a History of Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN)

• Journal: International Journal of Pediatrics (Int J Pediatr)

• Year: 2024

• Focus: Investigates long-term lung function in children who had TTN, a common neonatal respiratory condition.

• Key Findings:

  • Children with a history of TTN may have subclinical lung function changes in early childhood.

  • Environmental and genetic factors influence lung recovery post-TTN.

  • Emphasizes early pulmonary monitoring for high-risk groups.

3️⃣ Evaluation of Lung Function on Impulse Oscillometry in Preschool Children Born Late Preterm

• Journal: Pediatrics International (Pediatr Int)

• Year: 2016

• Focus: Uses impulse oscillometry, a child-friendly technique, to assess lung function in late preterm-born preschoolers.

• Key Findings:

  • Late preterm birth is linked with mild airway resistance abnormalities.

  • Provides evidence for ongoing respiratory follow-up beyond infancy.

  • Highlights the value of non-invasive lung function testing in young children.

4️⃣ Vitamin D Deficiency in Late Neonatal Hypocalcemia: A Multicenter Study

• Journal: Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology (J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol)

• Year: 2021

• Focus: Explores the role of vitamin D deficiency in late neonatal hypocalcemia, a common metabolic issue in newborns.

• Key Findings:

  • Significant proportion of hypocalcemic neonates had maternal vitamin D deficiency.

  • Recommends maternal screening and supplementation during pregnancy.

  • Suggests early detection and preventive strategies for at-risk infants.

5️⃣ Neonatal Outcomes of 125 Newborns Born to COVID-19 Positive Mothers: A Multicenter Study

• Journal: European Journal of Pediatrics (Eur J Pediatr)

• Year: 2021

• Focus: Evaluates clinical outcomes of neonates born to SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers.

• Key Findings:

  • No significant increase in neonatal mortality or severe complications.

  • Vertical transmission was rare, but transient respiratory issues were observed.

  • Supports safe breastfeeding and rooming-in practices with precautions.

Conclusion

Dr. Ilkay Er is a highly qualified and deserving candidate for the Women Researcher Award, given her strong research track record, impactful clinical studies, mentorship, and innovative contributions in neonatology. Her work significantly advances the understanding and management of neonatal conditions, directly improving healthcare outcomes for preterm and critically ill infants.