Ondine's Curse

Ondine's Curse, also known as Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS), is a rare genetic disorder affecting the automatic control of breathing. Individuals with this condition have an impaired ability to automatically regulate their breathing, especially during sleep, leading to insufficient inhalation of oxygen and exhalation of carbon dioxide. While they can breathe normally when awake and alert, they may require mechanical ventilation or other support during sleep to maintain proper oxygen levels. The condition highlights a failure in the brain's autonomic respiratory control systems, necessitating lifelong respiratory management to ensure adequate oxygenation.