Abstract: Background and Objective: The calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) are consumed by all age groups in the tropics. The neonatal gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is susceptible to diet-induced structural and functional changes which may cause precocious maturation. The effects of an orally administered HS aqueous calyx extract on growth performance, gastrointestinal morphometry, liver lipid and glycogen content and clinical biochemistry were investigated. Materials and Methods: Forty-two, 4-day old Sprague Dawley rat pups from 4 dams were randomly assigned to groups and administered distilled water (10 mL kg–1), a low dose (50 mg kg–1) or a high dose (500 mg kg–1) of HS via a stomach tube for 9 days. Intracardiac blood was collected and the viscera removed for gross morphometric measurements after euthanasia. Data was analysed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The low dose HS resulted in an increased tibial mass (p<0.05). The relative mass of the small intestine was significantly increased in the high dose (3.0±0.20% body mass) compared to the low dose group (2.7±0.22% body mass; p<0.01) and to the control group (2.7±0.27% body mass; p<0.001). The absolute and relative caecal masses of the pups on the high dose were heavier compared to those on the low dose (p<0.05). The HS aqueous calyx extracts did not alter activities of liver enzymes, hepatic glycogen and lipid content, nor change blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Conclusion: Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) intake by neonates may have trophic effects on the gastrointestinal tract without negatively affecting the health of the rat pups, the implications of which may result in increased food utilization efficiency later in life.