TREAT-SC
Ethics reference: 2024 FULL 18867 HDEC; ADHB locality: Approved
What is the trial about?
TREAT-SC aims to determine whether an early, short course of oral dexamethasone is a safe and effective treatment to reduce morbidity associated with Sydenham’s chorea in New Zealand and Australian children.
Who can take part in the study?
Children and adolescents from four years to less than 18 years of age.
Children or adolescents with Sydenham’s chorea of any severity diagnosed by a paediatrician or neurologist based on national ARF guidelines.
Who cannot take part in the study?
Children or adolescents who have received steroids or intravenous immunoglobulin since onset of the current Sydenham’s chorea episode.
Children or adolescents with evidence of concomitant severe, acute infection.
Children or adolescents with a history of hypersensitivity to dexamethasone or its excipients.
Any female adolescents who are pregnant.
Children or adolescents who are unimmunised with confirmed exposure to measles, mumps, rubella or chickenpox within the previous four weeks.
Children or adolescents who have had a live vaccine (i.e. BCG, oral cholera, JEV, MMR, oral typhoid, yellow fever, varicella zoster) within the previous four weeks.
Children or adolescents with a medical condition or are being treated with a medication which in the opinion of the trial investigators would make the child unsuitable for the trial.
How many children will be involved?
In New Zealand, we’re looking at recruiting 40 participants. It is hoped that 80 children will participate over a four-year period from more than 20 hospitals in New Zealand and Australia.
Where can I get more information about the study?
Check out our animation videos for more information on Sydenham’s chorea and the TREAT-SC trial.
Please contact us at TREATSC@adhb.govt.nz or phone the Research Coordinator on 021 369 340 for more information.
Funding
The funding for the study has been generously awarded by the Health Research Council (HRC).
The Research Team
Dr Hannah Jones, Paediatric Neurologist, Starship Hospital, New Zealand
Dr Cynthia Sharpe, Paediatric Neurologist, Starship Hospital, New Zealand
Eibhlin Corrigan, Research Coordinator, Starship Hospital, New Zealand
Dr Kathryn Roberts, General Paediatrician, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia
Professor Anna Ralph, Infectious Diseases, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Australia
Project dates
February 2024 – February 2029
Approved by Central Health and Disability Ethics Committee on 13/02/2024.
