Transposition of the great vessels in Bogotá and Cali, Colombia: A current perspective

Background: Transposition of the great vessels (TGV) is a congenital heart defect characterized by ventriculoarterial discordance, leading to cyanosis and hypoxemia. Globally, TGV accounts for 4 % of all congenital heart defects (CHD), but regional differences in prevalence are noted. Objectives: The objective of this study was to characterize the prevalence, epidemiology, and associated factors of TGV in Bogotá and Cali, Colombia. Methods: A retrospective case-control study design was used to analyze data from the Congenital Defects and Orphan Diseases Surveillance System (PREVERDEC). The study included 62 TGV cases identified among 552,841 births during the study period. Controls (n = 248) were selected as live births without congenital anomalies, matched by birth date and healthcare institution. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis to assess risk factors, with odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) calculated for maternal, neonatal, and socioeconomic variables. Results: The overall prevalence of TGV was 1.10 per 10,000 live births (95 % CI 0.84–1.42). Male newborns represented 54.84 % of cases, and TGV was prenatally detected in 33.87 % of cases. Associated factors included low birth weight (<2500 g, OR: 5.51, 95 % CI 2.64–11.52) and preterm birth (<37 weeks, OR: 7.37, 95 % CI 3.29–16.48). No associations were found with gestational diabetes or maternal age over 35 years. Conclusion: The prevalence of TGV in Bogotá and Cali was higher than national estimates, highlighting regional variations. Improvements in prenatal diagnostic techniques and maternal care are essential to reduce mortality and improve outcomes in affected infants.