Prevalencia de malformaciones cardíacas congénitas en 44.985 nacimientos en Colombia / Prevalence of congenital heart disease in 44.985 newborns in Colombia

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of congenital heart defects in Colombia using the methodology of the Latin-American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECLAMC, for its initials in Spanish) and to make an epidemiological description of the study population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective case-control study nested to a hospital-based cohort included 44,985 infants born from June 1, 2001 to April 30, 2005 in 11 Colombian hospitals. RESULTS: Fifty-five cases were reported (1.2 per 1,000); 36 (65.5%) corresponded to severe defects and 18 (32.7%) had associated extracardiac malformations. The following risk factors were identified maternal age > or = 40 years, paternal age > or = 30 years, gestational age < or = 37 weeks, birth weight < or = 3,000 g and > or = 3 pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a similar prevalence of congenital heart disease to that found in Spain, Mexico, and South America. Risk factors identified emphasize the need for public health policies in a developing country undergoing an epidemiological transition.