Background We conducted a prospective, multicenter investigation of incidence, management and outcome of neonatal acute respiratory disorders (NARD), and evaluated related perinatal risk factors and efficacy of respiratory therapies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in a Chinese neonatal network.Methods Data were prospectively collected in 2004-2005 from infants with NARD defined as presence of respiratory distress and oxygen requirement during the first 3 days of life.Results A total of 2677 NARD was classified (20.5% of NICU admissions). There were 711 (5.44%) with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), 589 (4.51%) pulmonary infection, 409 (3.13%) meconium aspiration syndrome, 658 (5.03%)aspiration of amniotic fluid and 239 (1.83%) transient tachypnoea. Meconium aspiration syndrome had the highest rate with fetal distress, transient tachypnoea from cesarean section, and RDS with maternal disorders. Assisted mechanical ventilation was applied in 53.4% of NARD, and in above five disorders with 84.7%, 52.3%, 39.8%, 24.5%, and 53.6%,respectively. Corresponding mortality in these disorders was 31.4%, 13.6%, 17.8%, 4.1% and 5.0%, respectively.Surfactant was provided to 33.9% of RDS. In all RDS infants, the survival rate was 78.8% if receiving surfactant, and 63.4% if not (P ＜0.001).Conclusions This study provided NICU admission-based incidence and mortality of NARD, reflecting efficiency of advanced respiratory therapies, which should be a reference for current development of respiratory support in NICU at provincial and sub-provincial levels, justifying efforts in upgrading standard of care in emerging regions through a collaborative manner.