Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, or by its more popular name, "Ondine's curse," is a neurological disorder that affects the regulation of ventilation. The disease affects the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for sustaining a healthy breathing pattern without the awareness of the individual. People who suffer from this syndrome have shallow breaths. These breaths are insufficient for the body to dispose of the carbon dioxide and receive adequate oxygen. This condition generally worsens during sleep.
