Aim To approach the therapeutic effect of mechanical ventilation on neonatal respiratory failure and the incidence of compli-cation.Methods Retrospective analysis was made of the clinical data that the patients who are diagnosed as respiratory failure received mechanical ventilation therapy in Anhui Provincial Hospital from the July of 2008 to the September of 2009.Results Of 36 cases with neonatal respiratory failure,20 cases were cured,2 died,14 gave up treatment,4 suffered from ventilator-associated pneumonia,1 from chronic lung disease.The differences between pre therapy and 1 hour post-treatment had statistical significance.Conclusion Mechani-cal ventilation therapy is an effective method in treating neonatal respiratory failure.