Objective To analyze and compare the craniocerebral imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging findings in premature infants with white matter injury (WMI). Methods The clinical data of 242 suspected WMI premature infants treated with MRI and craniocerebral ultrasound in our hospital from January 2016 to March 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The detection conditions and diagnostic values of the 2 methods were analyzed and compared. Results There were 226 cases (93.39%) with correct diagnosis, 12 cases (5.56%) with missed diagnosis and 4 cases (1.85%) with misdiagnosis by MRI. There were 189 cases (78.10%) with correct diagnosis, 43 cases (19.91%) with missed diagnosis and 10 cases (4.63%) with misdiagnosis by craniocerebral ultrasound. There was no significant difference in the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value by MRI or craniocerebral ultrasound(P>0.05). However, the negative predictive value and accuracy of MRI diagnosis were significantly higher than those of craniocerebral ultrasound (P<0.05). Conclusion Both MRI and craniocerebral ultrasound have certain significance in the diagnosis of early WMI, but the diagnostic accuracy is higher by MRI and is beneficial to early clinical intervention and prognosis of children patients.