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Predicting first-trimester pregnancy outcome in threatened miscarriage : a comparison of a multivariate logistic regression and machine learning models

Bibliographic Details
Title: Predicting first-trimester pregnancy outcome in threatened miscarriage : a comparison of a multivariate logistic regression and machine learning models
Authors: Sammut, Lara Maria, Bezzina, Paul, Gibbs, Vivien, Muscat Baron, Yves, Agius-Camenzuli, A., Calleja-Agius, Jean
Publisher Information: Elsevier Ltd.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: University of Malta: OAR@UM / L-Università ta' Malta
Subject Terms: Miscarriage, Pregnancy -- Trimester, First, Multivariate analysis -- Data processing, Machine learning, Random graphs, Biochemical markers
Description: Introduction: Threatened miscarriage (TM), defined as first-trimester vaginal bleeding with a closed cervix and detectable fetal cardiac activity, affects up to 30 % of clinically recognised pregnancies and is linked to increased risk of adverse outcomes. This study evaluates the predictive value of first-trimester ultrasound (US) and biochemical (BC) markers in determining outcomes among women with TM symptoms. Methods: This prospective cohort study recruited 118 women with viable singleton pregnancies (5+0 to 12+6 weeks' gestation) from Malta's national public hospital between January 2023 and June 2024. Participants underwent US and BC assessment, along with collection of clinical and sociodemographic data. Pregnancy outcomes were followed to term and classified as live birth or loss. Univariate logistic regression identified individual predictors. Multivariate logistic regression (MLR) and random forest (RF) modelling assessed combined predictive performance. Results: Among 118 TM cases, 77 % resulted in live birth, 23 % in loss. MLR identified progesterone, cervical length, mean gestational sac diameter (MGSD), trophoblast thickness, sFlt-1:PlGF ratio, and maternal age as significant predictors. Higher progesterone, cervical length, MGSD, and sFlt-1:PlGF ratio reduced risk, while maternal age over 35 increased it. MLR achieved 82.7 % accuracy (AUC = 0.89). RF improved accuracy to 93.1 % (AUC = 0.97), confirming the combined predictive value of US and BC markers. Conclusion: US and BC markers hold predictive value in TM. Machine learning, particularly RF, may improve early clinical risk stratification. Implications for practice: This tool may support timely decision-making and personalised monitoring, intervention, and counselling for women with TM. ; peer-reviewed
Document Type: article in journal/newspaper
Language: English
Relation: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/138848
DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2025.103159
Availability: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/138848
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2025.103159
Rights: info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess ; The copyright of this work belongs to the author(s)/publisher. The rights of this work are as defined by the appropriate Copyright Legislation or as modified by any successive legislation. Users may access this work and can make use of the information contained in accordance with the Copyright Legislation provided that the author must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the prior permission of the copyright holder.
Accession Number: edsbas.DF1304E1
Database: BASE
Description
DOI:10.1016/j.radi.2025.103159