The separate and combined effects of prenatal protein deficiency (6% casein) and prenatal nitrofen (2,4‐dichlorophenyl‐p‐nitrophenyl ether) exposure (12.5 mg/kg on gestational d 7–21) on renal morphology in the 21‐d fetal and postnatal rat were examined. Body weights and kidney weights were reduced in prenatally protein‐deprived (PPD) pups at birth and on postnatal day (PND) 10. Numbers of mature glomerull, creatinine clearance, water diuresis, and response of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), but not the concentrating ability, were lower in the PPD neonates. These changes suggest that prenatal protein deficiency delays renal development and possibly results in a decrease in glomerular clearance and in tubular response to a water load and to anti‐diuretic hormone.