Intrapartum fever is a well-known risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the clinical features for intrapartum maternal fever and investigated the risk factors for neonatal early-onset sepsis (EOS) with intrapartum maternal fever. This retrospective cohort study involved a total of 568 neonates born to mothers with intrapartum maternal fever (temperature peak ≥38 degree Celsius) in Hangzhou Women's Hospital from January 1st to December 31st, 2019. Neonates were assigned to the EOS and non-sepsis groups based on the diagnostic criteria for early-onset neonatal sepsis,. Demographic data, clinical information and laboratory test results were evaluated to assess the risk factors for EOS. A total of 568 neonates were included in this study, 84 of whom were diagnosed with EOS. The EOS group was significantly different from the non-sepsis group in 11 items including the both white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) level of the mother before delivery (  < 0.05). A logistic regression analysis revealed that a high maternal WBC count before delivery (OR = 3.261,  = 0.019) and a maternal histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) diagnosis (OR = 5.608,  = 0.002) were independent risk factors for EOS. The optimal cut-off value for WBC (before delivery) was 16.75 × 10* /L for EOS, according to receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under curve was 0.821). Elevated prenatal maternal WBC counts and maternal HCA diagnosis are both independently associated with EOS. Prenatal maternal WBC counts can be used as a sensitive indicator to predict EOS early.