Miscarriage Risk Factors for Pregnant Women: A Cohort Study in Eastern Algeria's Population

Miscarriage is defined as an adverse and unexpected termination of pregnancy; it is the most frequent pregnancy complication. Here, we aimed to identify the factors predisposing to miscarriage in pregnant women in Eastern Algeria and the effect of the combination of several factors, including maternal Body Mass Index (BMI), maternal age, concomitant pathologies, and nutrients, and to predict the occurrence of miscarriage.

A total of 786 pregnant women from Eastern Algeria were interviewed between 2011 and 2015. Association between miscarriage exposure and identified risk factors was assessed using a Generalized Linear Model (GLM), ANOVA test, Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA), and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA). Throughout this study, we sought to find answers, discuss this association, and predict the occurrence of miscarriage.

We developed a predictive model for miscarriage, and we found that miscarriage was significantly higher for pregnant women aged over 35 years (1.75; 95% CI: 0.75-4.37; p = 0.208), with a high BMI (> 25 kg/m²), (1.88; 95% CI:1.28-2.78; p = 0.001). We have highlighted that miscarriage is strongly associated with hypertension (1.67; 95% CI: 1.16-2.39; p = 0.006), diet rich in meat (0.60; 95% CI: 0.33-1.04; p = 0.075), and moderate in fish (2.32; 95% CI: 1.18-4.58; p = 0.015).

Our study proved that knowing these risk factors helps to establish predictive models and strategies to prevent tragic pregnancy outcomes and highlights the link between miscarriage and several risk factors; and thus, will allow protecting mother and fetus health.