Parents who worry over their diabetic child's health too much could be having a detrimental effect of the blood glucose levels of the youngster.
This is according to a study published in Diabetic Medicine, which concluded that distress over the child's health can actually result in it worsening.
Long-term complications can then arise, such as an increased risk of stroke or heart disease.
Commenting on the findings Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: "Having a child diagnosed with diabetes has major implications for a family. It can be a worrying time and therefore it is crucial that the child and their parents have access to psychological support."
However, he added that a "normal, happy childhood" is still possible and important for a child suffering from the condition.
A recent report advised against using the internet to assess a child's health.
According to a Nottingham-based research team, only about 200 in every 500 websites offer correct health information.
