Comparing two methods of penicillin to prevent heart disease in children.
Official title: Intramuscular vs. Enteral Penicillin Prophylaxis to Prevent Progression of Latent Rheumatic Heart Disease: A non-inferiority randomized trial. (GOALIE)
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11004029 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether giving penicillin by mouth works just as well as getting it through a shot for kids with latent rheumatic heart disease, to find a simpler way to help them stick to their treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,566,104 |
| NIH project number | 5R33HL166441-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11004029 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have been diagnosed with latent rheumatic heart disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have latent rheumatic heart disease or are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates whether oral penicillin is as effective as intramuscular penicillin in preventing the progression of latent rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in children. The study will involve children diagnosed with latent RHD, who will be randomly assigned to receive either oral or intramuscular penicillin. By comparing the outcomes of both groups, the research aims to identify a less burdensome treatment option that can be more easily implemented in low-resource settings. This could help improve adherence to treatment and reduce barriers related to injections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more accessible and less painful treatment option for children at risk of developing severe heart disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with intramuscular penicillin in preventing RHD progression, but this approach of comparing oral penicillin is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beaton, Andrea Zawacki — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Beaton, Andrea Zawacki
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.