A detailed analysis of the renal function of 18 children and adolescents aged 7-20 years (median, 16 years) was performed at least 3 months following the completion of a non-platinum-containing chemotherapy regimen with a total dose of 72 g/m2 of ifosfamide. Ifosfamide had been given as a 1-h infusion of 1.8 g/m2 daily for 5 days at 5- to 6-week intervals along with mesna uroprotection. The mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as determined by inulin clearance was 100 ml/min/1.73 m2. Although 6 of 18 patients had GFRs below normal, the lowest was only 18% less than the lower limit of normal and would not account for any clinical compromise. The renal plasma flow and filtration fraction were normal. Proximal tubular function evaluation revealed normal fractional excretion (FE) of glucose; normal mean tubular maximum phosphate reabsorption per GFR (TMP)/GFR values; high FE of urate (17%); and mild, generalized aminoaciduria in 6 of the 18 patients. Distal tubular function evaluation showed normal 24-h urinary calcium levels and FE of magnesium as well as normal urinary osmolality after water deprivation. Two patients had mild proteinuria. The findings in this study are encouraging in terms of the lack of clinically significant renal abnormalities observed in patients who had received a cumulative dose of 72 g/m2 of ifosfamide.