Objective To evaluate the value of MR diffusion tensor imaging in the diagnosis of hypoxic - ischemic -cephalopathy by Meta- analysis. Methods Searching the related literatures in Medline, Ovid, Springer, Elsevier, Lippincott Williams＆Wilkins (Lww) and the Chinese Journal Net (CNKI) from January 1997 to December 2016, analysis software for the RevMan 5.3, the combined effect was the weighted average difference (WMD). Results A total of 13 articles were included in the study of DTI diagnosis of HIE. The results showed that: (1) The FA value of the posterior limb of internal capsule, the plenium and genu of corpus callosum in the neonates with mild, moderate and severe HIE were lower than that in the control group of which the value of WMD and 95% CI in the posterior limb of Internal capsule were -0.04 (-0.06, -0.02), -0.07 (-0.10, -0.03), -0.07(-0.10,-0.03), of which the value of WMD and 95% CI in the Splenium of corpus callosum were -0.09(-0.10,-0.07), -0.09(-0.12,-0.06), -0.19(-0.33,-0.05); of which the value of WMD and 95% CI in the Genu of corpus callosum were -0.06(-009,-0.03), -0.07(-0.10,-0.05), -0.13(-0.21,-0.06). (2)There was no significant difference in the FA value of the Parietal white matter, frontal white matter in neonates with mild HIE group compared with the control group. The FA value of moderate to severe group was lower than that of control group.(3) There were no statistically significant in comparing the FA value of lentiform nucleus, thalamus, caudate nucleus and radiation crown with neonatal control group. Conclusion The posterior limb of internal capsule, the splenium and genu of corpus callosum were the most obvious parts of HIE involvement. The decrease of FA value can provide imaging basis for the early diagnosis of HIE.