Aim: The aim of this exploratory study within an RCT 
design was to examine the factors with influence on the 
change in the child’s glycemic control from the onset of 
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) to 1-year post 
diagnosis by using the following repeated measures: the 
child’s age, parent and family functioning (PedsQL™ 
Family Impact Module, FIM) and parent level of 
education. Glycemic control measured as HbA1c at three 
months post-diagnosis was used in the analysis 
Methods: 101 children, aged 3-15 years, recently 
diagnosed with T1DM and their parents participated in 
the study. Data was collected at baseline and at 12 months 
after diagnosis. A linear mixed model was used for 
longitudinal analysis. The variables parental and family 
functioning, parental educational level, and age of the 
child were regarded as potentially explanatory of the 
continuous variable HbA1c.  
Results: The educational level of the father was the only 
explanatory variable of glycemic control 1-year post
diagnosis.  
Conclusion: Since the paternal influence on the 
metabolic control of the child is significant, this study 
highlights the importance of involving fathers in the 
child’s diabetes treatment, both at onset and henceforth in 
the ongoing care.