flax seed oil-Rett's Syndrome

[john & caroline W]

Dear Group,

I have a child with Rett's Syndrome under my care.  This is characterized,
in part, by difficulty maintaining appropriate weight and growth.  Her
mother showed me an article in the Rett's U.K. support group magazine about
flax seed oil, and how it was rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids as
well as helping with constipation (another chronic problem).  The suggested
dosage was 2 teaspoons a day, and it did stress to get it from a health
food store ("organic").  Does anyone know if this would be harmful?  The
child is a small 3 year-old.  I did encourage mother to offer more oily
fish for omega 3's, and told her that other veg oils (sunflower) are also
rich in omega 6, but I think she still would like to try the flax oil.  I
can't see the harm here if she wants to use it, but wanted to check it out
with anyone else who has encountered this.  I also can't find any reference
books listing flax seed oil and fatty acid content - perhaps it goes by a
different name?  Does it really have more omega 3 and 6 f.a. than more
conventional sources?  Any advice or thoughts appreciated!

Sincerely,

Caroline Webber
West Sussex, U.K.