The likelihood of producing a significantly larger-than-average response to a
specified exposure to a substance.
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Susceptibility can be subdivided into innate and acquired susceptibility.
Innate susceptibility may be due to genetic predisposition or to incomplete
development of normal (adult) physiological functions. A young child may be
susceptible to a given substance because detoxification processes are not yet
fully developed. Such susceptibility is transient and disappears with age and
growth.
Acquired susceptibility may be due to disease, socioeconomic status or age.
