In pediatric patients, which factor can significantly affect medication absorption?

Body weight is a critical factor that significantly affects medication absorption in pediatric patients. In children, the surface area to volume ratio is different from adults, leading to variations in how medications are distributed and metabolized in the body. Many medications are dosed based on body weight or body surface area to ensure that the child receives an appropriate dosage that is both effective and safe.

An infant or child who weighs less will require different dosing than an adult or older child due to their smaller mass and developing organs, which can affect the rate at which drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Factors such as body fat percentage and hydration status, which can also be influenced by weight, further impact how medications are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and how they become bioavailable in the system.

While factors like body temperature, allergy history, and physical activity level may play roles in the overall health and response to treatment in pediatric patients, they do not directly influence the fundamental pharmacokinetic principles governing medication absorption as body weight does.