Objective To evaluate the levels and clinical significance of serum epidermal growth (EGF) in premature infants.Methods Serum EGF concentrations of 10 full-term and 35 premature infants were measured by radio-immunoassay (RIA ) within 24hrs after birth.Results The serum EGF concentrations in premature infants born between 35 and 37 weeks of gestation(0.617±0.22 μg/L)and those born between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation(0.540±0.31 μg/L)were significantly lower than those in full-term infants(0.723±0.18 μg/L)( P<0.01). The asphyxiated premature infants showed a much lower EGF level(0.446±0.24 μg/L) compared with the full-term infants. The EGF concentration of the premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis was not significantly different from that of the full-term infants. Conclusions The serum EGF concentration is associated with the gestational age. Asphyxia may result in a decreased EGF level.