Though abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea are characteristic, many lack        the classical features. Studies in adults show that though most of the        amylase and lipase estimations are normal, many cases of subtle        pancreatitis would have been missed if these tests were not routinely        ordered. The etiology of 80% of pancreatitis in children is unknown. The        commonest known cause is blunt abdominal trauma followed by anatomical        abnormalities such as pancreatic divisum and cholelithiasis in children with        hemolytic anemia. Some children may have recurrent episodes while others        show a familial tendency.