Objective To explore the risk factors for pulmonary infection (PI) in acute stage of cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI). Methods Clinical data of 108 patients with CSCI (C1-C8 spinal cord injury) were analyzed retrospectively, according to whether PI occurred within 1 month after disease onset, patients were divided into PI group and non-PI group. Basic condition, injury type and relevant laboratory examination of two groups of patients were analyzed. Results Of 108 patients, 55 had PI, incidence of PI was 50.9%. Univariate analysis showed that low hemoglobin level, ASIA grade, hyponatremia and ventilator-assisted ventilation may be the influencing factors for PI in patients with CSCI (all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ASIA grade (OR=0.399, 95%CI: 0.227-0.702, P=0.001), ventilator-assisted ventilation (OR=77.564, 95%CI: 8.587-700.595, P < 0.001), and serum sodium ion level (OR=0.839, 95%CI: 0.735-0.958, P=0.009) were risk factors for PI in patients with CSCI. Conclusion ASIA grade A or B, ventilator-assisted ventilation and hyponatremia are independent risk factors for PI in patients with CSCI.