A 2-year-old boy presented with a suspected urethrocutaneous fistula. He had been born at 26 wk gestation and spent 14 wk in the special care baby unit with severe respiratory problems and an episode of meningitis. He had not had a urinary catheter in situ or urinary tract infections. Bilateral inguinal hernias had been repaired. At presentation he was below the 3rd centile for height and weight but had reached all other developmental milestones.