Deep abdominal palpation was performed prospectively in 900 newborns. Normal kidneys were felt in all but 8. 2 of these had a normal ultrasonography, 2 had an obstructive hydronephrosis, 1 had bilateral renal hypoplasia and 3 had a previously undiagnosed unilateral renal agenesis. Despite the increasing use of prenatal ultrasonography, careful abdominal examination should be performed in all newborns.