Objectives To analyze the neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) score in the evaluation of brain development,brain injury and prognostic in preterm infants. Methods The research was performed on 397 preterm infants who performed NBNA from January 2012 to December 2013 at the neonatal intensive care unit in Zhengzhou Children's Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,divided into high-risk abnormal group (group HRAN,n=206),high-risk normal group (group HRN,n=108),the "normal" group (group N,n=83),the difference of NBNA score was compared among three groups,and the effect of NBNA score in assessing prognosis was analyzed. Results With the rising of the assessment time,NBNA score showed an increasing tread in three groups,and there was a deceleration trend with the GA grouping.The increasing of NBNA score was group HRN >group N> group HRAN (P<0.05).NBNA scores in the three groups were lower than 36 points when GA corrected to preterm;When the GA corrected to term,NBNA score was lower than 36 points in group HRAN,higher than 36 points in group HRN,and higher than 37 points in group N.The mental retardation children with NBNA score less than 35 points were more when the GA corrected was to 37 weeks,there were significant statistical difference(P<0.01). Conclusion NBNA score can be used to reflect the condition and discipline of brain development in preterm infants,and it has relationship with the outcome of brain development.