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Summary The overall incidence and mortality of amoebiasis in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania is briefly reviewed and seven patients with fatal amoebic colitis occurring during pregnancy and the puerperium are described. The possible causes of the fulminating course of the disease in pregnancy are considered and the management is discussed.

The maternal deaths in a supra-regional reference hospital between 1971 and 1977 are reviewed and avoidable factors discussed. Improvements in ante-natal care have diminished the number of deaths from obstetric causes and as a result deaths from associated diseases are assuming greater significance. Particular attention is drawn to the enterocolitis group of diseases which account for 15% of the total deaths in this series. The effect of pregnancy on amoebic colitis has not been widely appreciated.

Summary Spontaneous complete transurethral inversion of the bladder, occurring in labour is rare. Three cases appear to have been described previously and a fourth is reported here.

Summary Burkitt's lymphoma of the ovary, occurring in association with pregnancy, is rare, only one case having been previously reported. Two cases are reported here and the possible effect of pregnancy discussed.