Whanganui

Researchers are evaluating whether an early three-day course of oral dexamethasone can improve recovery and wellbeing in children aged 4 to 17 years with Sydenham's chorea, a movement disorder caused by inflammation in the brain after a Group A streptococcus infection. This condition affects children's movements, mood, and concentration, and can take months to fully recover from. The study is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial conducted in New Zealand and Australia, focusing on reducing symptoms and improving mental health outcomes. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either oral dexamethasone suspension at a dose of 20mg/m2/day (up to 24mg/day) divided into three doses daily for three days, or matching placebo capsules taken three times daily for the same duration. The study compares the effects of this short steroid course against placebo to determine safety and effectiveness in treating Sydenham's chorea. The trial plans to enroll 80 children from multiple hospital sites. During the study, children's chorea severity and psychiatric symptoms will be assessed at one, three, and twelve months using standardized rating scales and questionnaires. Safety checks for adverse events related to dexamethasone will occur on days three, seven, and at one month. Additional outcomes include relapse rates, hospital length of stay, and treatment failures. The total follow-up period spans a year to monitor both physical and mental recovery.