ObjectiveTo discuss the evaluation of clinical grading for neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) by diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the DWI findings of 39 neonates with HIE diagnosed by clinical criteria from December 2009 to July 2013. Abnormal signals were observed for 23 neonates (59%). These neonates were divided into three groups (group A, B and C) according to the shape and range of abnormal signals. Then Kappa test was performed between groups of different clinical grading (light, medium, severe). ResultsFor groups arranged based on abnormal signals and clinical grading, the Kappa value of the consistency test was 0.797 (P < 0.001). ConclusionsDWI negativity cannot exclude the existence of HIE. However, when abnormal signals occur, we can infer the severity in neonates with HIE according to the shape and range of abnormal signals by DWI.