Using an innovative stacked ensemble algorithm for the accurate prediction of preterm birth

Abstract

Objective: A birth before the normal term of 38 weeks of gestation is called a preterm birth (PTB). It is one of the major reasons for neonatal death. The objective of this article was to predict PTB well in advance so that it was converted to a term birth. Material and Methods: This study uses the historical data of expectant mothers and an innovative stacked ensemble (SE) algorithm to predict PTB. The proposed algorithm stacks classifiers in multiple tiers. The accuracy of the classiffication is improved in every tier. Results: The experimental results from this study show that PTB can be predicted with more than 96% accuracy using innovative SE learning. Conclusion: The proposed approach helps physicians in Gynecology and Obstetrics departments to decide whether the expectant mother needs treatment. Treatment can be given to delay the birth only in patients for whom PTB is predicted, or in many cases to convert the PTB to a normal birth. This, in turn, can reduce the mortality of babies due to PTB.