Objective:To analyze the cases referred to a higher-level hospital from the Department of Neonatology in a primary hospital, and evaluate the efficiency of clinical works related to the referrals.Methods:Data of neonates admitted to the Department of Neonatology at Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Dabu County from January 2018 to December 2020 and referred to the superior hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 1 670 neonates were included and 128 neonates were referred.The median age of the neonates referred was 0.5 hours(0 hours, 25 days), the median gestational age was 38 + 3(29 + 1, 42 + 4) weeks, the median weight was 3 000(1 250, 4 800) g, and the transport distance was 78 km.Twenty-four cases were assessed as critical cases before the referral, 125 cases were improved and discharged after treatment in the superior hospital, and three cases died.The referral rate in 2018, 2019 and 2020 showed a downward trend year by year (10.3%, 7.6% and 4.0%, respectively), and the difference was statistically significant( χ2=14.362, P=0.001). The proportion of critical cases in referral cases increased year by year (9.4%, 23.9% and 38.9%, respectively), and the difference was statistically significant( χ2=9.289, P=0.010). The incidence of critical case was higher in those whose mothers didn′t have regular prenatal examination during pregnancy( χ2=5.129, P=0.032). Conclusion:The ability of neonatal treatment in primary hospitals has been improved.The neonates need to be referred and critical cases are not rare in primary hospitals.More attention should be paid to the safety and effectiveness of the regional transport network.Also, enhancing the health awareness of residents and improving the primary medical technics are important to maximize the life safety and optimal transition of newborns.