Comparing two methods of penicillin to prevent heart disease in children.

Intramuscular vs. Enteral Penicillin Prophylaxis to Prevent Progression of Latent Rheumatic Heart Disease: A non-inferiority randomized trial. (GOALIE)

NIH-funded research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11004029

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cincinnati, United States)
Project IDNIH-11004029 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have been diagnosed with latent rheumatic heart disease.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have latent rheumatic heart disease or are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.