Predicting early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding using machine learning techniques.

<h4>Background</h4>Identification of mother-infant pairs predisposed to early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding is important for delivering targeted support. Machine learning techniques enable development of transparent prediction models that enhance clinical applicability. We aimed t...

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Main Authors: Freja Marie Nejsum, Rikke Wiingreen, Andreas Kryger Jensen, Ellen Christine Leth Løkkegaard, Bo Mølholm Hansen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312238
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author Freja Marie Nejsum
Rikke Wiingreen
Andreas Kryger Jensen
Ellen Christine Leth Løkkegaard
Bo Mølholm Hansen
author_facet Freja Marie Nejsum
Rikke Wiingreen
Andreas Kryger Jensen
Ellen Christine Leth Løkkegaard
Bo Mølholm Hansen
author_sort Freja Marie Nejsum
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Identification of mother-infant pairs predisposed to early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding is important for delivering targeted support. Machine learning techniques enable development of transparent prediction models that enhance clinical applicability. We aimed to develop and validate two models to predict cessation of exclusive breastfeeding within one month among infants born after 35 weeks gestation using machine learning techniques.<h4>Methods</h4>Utilizing a nationwide dataset from Statistics Denmark, including infants born between the 1st of January 2014 and the 31st of December 2015, we employed random forest machine learning to develop two predictive models. The first model included 11 well-established factors associated with cessation of exclusive breastfeeding within one month. The second model was expanded to include 21 additional factors associated with complications during pregnancy and delivery that potentially impede breastfeeding. Feature importance was applied to elucidate the factors driving model predictions.<h4>Results</h4>The dataset comprised 110,206 infants and 106,835 mothers. The first model predicted cessation of exclusive breastfeeding within one month with an area under the receiver operating curve of 62.0% (95% confidence interval 61.3% - 62.7%) and an accuracy of 60.4% (95% confidence interval 59.8% - 61.0%). The second model predicted cessation of exclusive breastfeeding within one month with an area under the receiver operating curve of 62.2% (95% confidence interval 61.5% - 62.9%) and an accuracy of 60.0% (95% confidence interval 59.3% - 60.6%). In both models, birthplace, maternal education, delivery mode, and maternal body mass index were the most important factors influencing the overall model performance.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The two models could not accurately predict cessation of exclusive breastfeeding within one month among infants born after 35 weeks gestation. Contrary to our expectations, including additional factors in the model did not increase model performance.
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spelling doaj-art-cfc12c50405043b0bb45b2076f07ecc72025-01-17T05:31:24ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01201e031223810.1371/journal.pone.0312238Predicting early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding using machine learning techniques.Freja Marie NejsumRikke WiingreenAndreas Kryger JensenEllen Christine Leth LøkkegaardBo Mølholm Hansen<h4>Background</h4>Identification of mother-infant pairs predisposed to early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding is important for delivering targeted support. Machine learning techniques enable development of transparent prediction models that enhance clinical applicability. We aimed to develop and validate two models to predict cessation of exclusive breastfeeding within one month among infants born after 35 weeks gestation using machine learning techniques.<h4>Methods</h4>Utilizing a nationwide dataset from Statistics Denmark, including infants born between the 1st of January 2014 and the 31st of December 2015, we employed random forest machine learning to develop two predictive models. The first model included 11 well-established factors associated with cessation of exclusive breastfeeding within one month. The second model was expanded to include 21 additional factors associated with complications during pregnancy and delivery that potentially impede breastfeeding. Feature importance was applied to elucidate the factors driving model predictions.<h4>Results</h4>The dataset comprised 110,206 infants and 106,835 mothers. The first model predicted cessation of exclusive breastfeeding within one month with an area under the receiver operating curve of 62.0% (95% confidence interval 61.3% - 62.7%) and an accuracy of 60.4% (95% confidence interval 59.8% - 61.0%). The second model predicted cessation of exclusive breastfeeding within one month with an area under the receiver operating curve of 62.2% (95% confidence interval 61.5% - 62.9%) and an accuracy of 60.0% (95% confidence interval 59.3% - 60.6%). In both models, birthplace, maternal education, delivery mode, and maternal body mass index were the most important factors influencing the overall model performance.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The two models could not accurately predict cessation of exclusive breastfeeding within one month among infants born after 35 weeks gestation. Contrary to our expectations, including additional factors in the model did not increase model performance.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312238
spellingShingle Freja Marie Nejsum
Rikke Wiingreen
Andreas Kryger Jensen
Ellen Christine Leth Løkkegaard
Bo Mølholm Hansen
Predicting early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding using machine learning techniques.
PLoS ONE
title Predicting early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding using machine learning techniques.
title_full Predicting early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding using machine learning techniques.
title_fullStr Predicting early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding using machine learning techniques.
title_full_unstemmed Predicting early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding using machine learning techniques.
title_short Predicting early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding using machine learning techniques.
title_sort predicting early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding using machine learning techniques
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312238
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