How Does Body Composition Affect Volume of Distribution?
Children's bodies have a higher percentage of total body water and lower body fat compared to adults. For instance, neonates may have up to 80% of their body weight as water, while adults have about 60%. This higher water content affects the distribution of water-soluble drugs, leading to a larger Vd in neonates and infants. Conversely, the lower fat content can affect the distribution of lipid-soluble drugs.