Monthly penicillin injections versus daily oral penicillin to prevent early rheumatic heart disease progression
Intramuscular vs. Enteral Penicillin Prophylaxis to Prevent Progression of Latent Rheumatic Heart Disease: A non-inferiority randomized trial. (GOALIE)
This compares monthly penicillin injections with daily oral penicillin for children with early (latent) rheumatic heart disease to find a less painful, easier prevention option.
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 ID | NIH-11248273 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be a child identified with early (latent) rheumatic heart disease by echocardiography and randomly assigned to get either regular intramuscular penicillin injections or a daily oral penicillin tablet. The trial uses a non-inferiority design to see whether the oral option prevents disease progression as well as injections. Doctors will follow participants over time with clinical checks and repeat echocardiograms to track heart changes and safety. The study also looks at practical issues that affect families, like pain, missed school, adherence, and health system costs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and adolescents diagnosed with latent (early) rheumatic heart disease who are eligible for secondary antibiotic prophylaxis are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with advanced rheumatic heart disease, a known penicillin allergy, or other contraindications to penicillin would not benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If oral penicillin works as well, children could avoid painful injections and find long-term prevention easier and more accessible.
How similar studies have performed: A prior GOAL trial showed that intramuscular penicillin reduced progression compared with no prophylaxis, but direct comparisons of oral versus intramuscular penicillin are newer and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- 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
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 below.