Epidemiologic studies from several different populations have demonstrated that prenatal insults, which adversely affect fetal growth, result in an increased incidence of hypertension when the offspring reaches adulthood. It is now becoming evident that low birth weight infants are also at increased risk for chronic kidney disease. To determine how prenatal insults result in hypertension and chronic kidney disease investigators have used animal models that mimic the adverse events that occur in pregnant women such as dietary protein or total caloric deprivation, uteroplacental insufficiency and prenatal administration of glucocorticoids. This review examines the role of the kidney in generating and maintaining the increase in blood pressure in these animal models. The review also discusses how early postnatal adverse events may have repercussions in later life. The causes for the increase in blood pressure by perinatal insults are likely multifactorial and involve a reduction in nephron number, dysregulation of the systemic and intrarenal renin-angiotensin system, increased renal sympathetic nerve activity and increased tubular sodium transport. Understanding the mechanism for the increase in blood pressure and renal injury resulting from prenatal insults may lead to therapies that prevent hypertension and the development of chronic kidney and cardiovascular disease.