Ondine's curse (congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, CCHS) is a respiratory disorder, caused by a rare inherited neurological condition. The chemoreceptors of the respiratory center are not responsive to hypercapnia and/or hypoxia. Breathing is insufficient.
Affected children usually need permanent respiratory ventilation. In most cases this can be performed at their homes with a tracheostomy and a diaphragm pacemaker.
