Objective To investigate the status of child health care personnel and facility resources, situation of child health service and management in prefecture-level maternal and child health (MCH) institutions in China, in order to provide baseline data for the comparison of development of child health care.Methods Data of a historical survey in 2013 were analyzed. In this survey, one third of prefectures and municipalities were selected by using the probability proportion size method from 13 nationally representative provinces from May to July in 2013, and the situation of child health service in prefecture-level MCH institutions in China were investigated by questionnaire survey.Results In whole 51 prefecture-level MCH institutions, there were 1.64 staff members in MCH institutions providing services for every ten thousand children on average. Each institution carried out nine items of children health service. The setting rate of the growth and development service was the highest (98.0%). Then the setting rates of nutrition consultation service, hearing service, psychological behavioral test service were 94.1%, 92.2% and 90.2%, respectively. Among all the services, the setting rate of child rehabilitation service was the lowest (62.7%). Each institution had 6 children health clinics averagely. More than 70% of institutions had growth and development clinic, psychological behavioral test clinic, eye care clinic and hearing care clinic, however, the setting rate of high-risk infants follow-up clinic, dental clinic, child rehabilitation clinic and early child development clinic were all lower than 60%. Each institution had organized four training courses for subordinate health care institutions and three training courses for health care staffs from childcare institutions in 2012.Conclusions The area differences on capacity of child health service are contractible. However, the personnel and facility resources are inadequate and the setting rate of child health clinic should be increased and more relevant service should be provided.