INTRODUCTION: Prealbumin is a serum protein that has been presented as nutritional marker of protein-energy sufficiency in both adults and newborns. We aimed to investigate the correlation between prealbumin levels in cord blood and weight gain during early neonatal period. PATIENTS & METHODS: Eighty newborns were enrolled who were delivered at Kyungpook National University Children’s Hospital between March and June 2017. The levels of prealbumin, total protein, albumin, Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine in cord blood were measured. Days to recovery birth weight were collected as a marker of weight gain during early neonatal period. We reviewed maternal medical history and neonatal history of the use of oxygen and positive-ventilation after birth. RESULTS: Mean gestational age and birth weight were 36.3 ± 2.5 weeks and 2663 ± 675 g, respectively. Mean prealbumin levels in cord blood was 8.11 ± 1.62 mg/dL. The prealbumin levels were correlated with gestational age (r=0.391, P0.001), birth weight (r=0.361, P0.001), and serum levels of total protein (r=0.408, P0.001), albuimin (r=0.420, P0.001), and creatinine (r=0.248,P=0.030). The prealbumin levels were different between infants with and without maternal preeclampsia (8.27 ± 1.62 mg/dL vs. 7.30 ± 1.38 mg/dL, P=0.043), but there were no significant differences between infants with and without maternal gestation diabetes. The infants needed support of oxygen and positive-ventilation had lower levels of prealbumin and total protein compared to infants without need of oxygen and positive-ventilation. Days to recovery birth weight were correlated with gestational age (r=-0.266, P=0.036), but not with birth weight, maternal disease, neonatal use of oxygen and positive-ventilatrion, and serum levels of prealbumin and total protein. CONCLUSIONS: The prealbumin levels in cord blood were positively correlated with gestational age and birth weight. The cord prealbumin levels were not associated with weight gain during early neonatal period.