Objective      To understand the birth conditions of singleton live full-term neonates from four cities in China and the change trends of physical development during the past 25 years (ranging from 1986 to 2012).       Methods      Random cluster sampling method was adopted to investigate the physical development of singleton live full-term neonates in Beijing

Harbin

Guangzhou and Changsha and compare with the national physical development reference standards from the investigation groups of 15 cities from 1986 to 1987.       Results      A total of 5 140 singleton live full-term neonates were collected. Compared with the reference standards of China

3 indicators (body weight

height

and head circumference) of the physical development of full-term neonates in 2012 were increased at different degree

of which the most significant was body weight (P0.01). Percentile of birth weight of the neonates with different gestational ages in 2012 was higher than the reference standards. In addition to the head circumference of the neonates

the body weight and height were all larger than the reference standards of WHO in 2006 (P0.01).       Conclusion      The physical development of full-term neonates from the four cities in China is improved and presents an increasing trend during 25 years. Moreover

some indicators exceed the reference standards in China.