The adult rat kidney is an important target organ for sodium fluoride; however, the toxicity of fluoride to the developing kidney is unknown. This study examined renal function following NaF exposure during the first 4 weeks after birth. Sprague-Dawley rats received a single ip injection of 0, 30, or 48 mg/kg NaF on postnatal Day 1, 8, 15, or 29. Alterations in renal function, histology, and morphology were determined 24, 48, and 120 hr after exposure. Measurements of renal function included urine volume, osmolality, the ability to concentrate urine during water deprivation, urinary pH, and chloride content. Rats were then sacrificed and their kidneys processed for observation by light microscopy. Some minor alterations in renal function were observed in the three youngest age groups after NaF exposure. These changes included decreased body weight after treatment with 30 or 48 mg/kg NaF but increased kidney-body weight ratio in the 48 mg/kg group on Day 1; decreased urinary pH in both dose groups after treatment on Day 1 or 8; increased urinary volume 120 hr after treatment on Day 8; and decreased chloride excretion in the 48 mg/kg group 24 hr after injection on Day 1. None of these effects was severe. In contrast to these results, marked renal toxicity was observed in postweaning rats treated on Day 29. The NaF exposure resulted in increased kidney weight and kidney/body weight ratio, profound diuresis, decreased urinary osmolality, and decreased ability to concentrate urine during water deprivation. Urinary chloride excretion was decreased for the first 2 days after NaF exposure, then increased in water-deprived rats 120 hr after treatment. Glucosuria and hematuria were present for 2 days after treatment with 48 mg/kg. Histological lesions were apparent in the proximal tubules of the treated Day 29 rats. Thus, the kidney of the suckling rat is largely unresponsive to NaF toxicity. Renal sensitivity increases abruptly after weaning in the Day 29 rat.