Objectives IL-6 is an inflammatory marker and urea nitrogen (UREA) is a common indicator of glomerular filtration function. Their combined detection has predictive value for the severity of neonatal pneumonia. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the clinical and laboratory data, collected from 105 neonatal patients (including 76 mild to moderate pneumonia patients and 29 severe pneumonia patients). Results Mann–Whitney U-test showed serum IL-6 and UREA levels were significantly increased in severe pneumonia, compared with that in mild to moderate pneumonia (p Conclusions Combined detection of IL-6 and UREA had a good predictive value for evaluating the severity of neonatal pneumonia.