Abstract: Objective　We aimed to study the characteristics and risk factors for blood transfusion in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). Methods　Clinical data of 180 VLBWI, hospitalized from January, 2012 to June, 2016, were studied retrospectively. The infants were divided into two groups according to whether blood transfusion is administered or not. Two groups were compared with general information, diseases in hospital and treatment taken. Results　Of the 180 VLBWI, 118 cases (65.6%) were diagnosed with anemia when hospitalized. 57 cases (31.7%) needed blood transfusion with a mean gestational age of 30.3±1.9 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1233.3±123.7 g, The first time to blood transfusion ranged from 2 to 5 weeks after birth, transfusion volume 20ml/Kg once. Fourty-eight (48) cases (84.2%) only took blood transfusion once. Birth weight, gestational age, basal hemoglobin, hematocrit, volume of blood taking before transfusion, duration of hospitalization, duration of continuous positive airway pressure, duration of paraenteral nutrition, duration of vasoactive drugs used, need for intubation、delivery mode, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, apnea, neonatal hypothyroidism and patent ductus arteriosus showed significant difference between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that gestational age, birth weight, basal hemoglobin, long duration of hospital stay and blood loss from laboratory testing were risk factors for blood transfusion in VLBWI (P＜0.05). Conclusions　The rate of blood transfusion in VLBWI was relatively high. Complex complications, critical condition, blood loss from laboratory testing and basal hemoglobin were main risk factors for blood transfusion.