Jenny McCarthy's Travolta trauma

Jenny McCarthy says the death of John Travolta's teenage son affected her greatly because her son nearly died of a seizure last year.
Jenny McCarthy says the death of John Travolta's teenage son bought back painful memories.

The star was left shaken by the news of 16-year-old Jett Travolta's passing - because her own six-year-old son almost died from a seizure last year.

She said: "When I first heard the news about Jett, I slowly kind of sat down. Last year, Evan had another seizure which lasted seven hours - we had to put him in a coma for four days so he wouldn't go into cardiac arrest."

"So looking at Jett, I cried out of fear for my own son, and for, I can't even tell you how many children, with autism."

Jett's death on January 2 was caused by a seizure. He had been diagnosed with the rare illness Kawasaki Syndrome, but other reports claimed he suffered from autism.

Jenny - who campaigns for autism sufferers - says that if Jett did have autism, she understands why Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston, who are both Scientologists, would keep it private.

The 36-year-old actress added: "They should have the right to keep whatever they want to themselves, and share what they want with the world."

"My heart goes out to them. I have such compassion and understanding for what they've gone through."