Objective To explore the physical development of very low birth weight (VLBW) premature infants from discharge to 3 years of age. Methods The VLBW premature infants with birth weight < 1500 g delivered from January 1 , 2014 to December 31 , 2014 were selected. The physical growth indicators at 12 months of adjusted age, 24 months of adjusted age and 3 years of age were analyzed and compared. Results A total of 141 VLBW premature infants were delivered and 26 died with a survival rate of 81 . 6 %. Among the surviving VLBW preterm infants, 101 completed the follow-up (87 . 8 %). The difference in head circumference-for-age Z score (HcAZ) at 12 months of adjusted age, 24 months of adjusted age and 3 years of age was statistical significance (P< 0 . 05 ). Compared with the 24 months of adjusted age, the HcAZ at 3 years of age was significantly higher, and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0 . 05 ). The differences in lean body mass (LBM) and LBM percentages at 12 months of adjusted age, 24 months of adjusted age and 3 years of age were statistically significant (P< 0 . 05 ). LBM showed a gradual increase trend, and pairwise comparison of LBM among different ages showed statistical significance (P< 0 . 05 ). The percentage of LBM at 24 months of adjusted age and 3 years of age was higher than that at 12 months of adjusted age, and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0 . 05 ). According to the presence or absence of complications, VLBW preterm infants were divided into complication group ( 36 cases) and non-complication group ( 65 cases). There were no significant differences between the two groups in weight-for-age Z score (WAZ), length-for-age Z value (LAZ), HcAZ and body mass index-for-age Z score (BAZ) (P> 0 . 05 ). Conclusion With the increase of age, the physical development indices of VLBW premature infants gradually catch up. There is no significant difference in the physical development of VLBW premature infants with or without complications.