Ondine's curse

Ondine's curse, or central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome, is a respiratory disorder that is fatal if untreated. Persons afflicted with Ondine's curse are unable to breathe without conscious intervention; if they fall asleep, they will die.

Most people with congenital Ondine's curse do not survive infancy, though they can be kept alive with an ventilator.The index case (first patient described with this condition) was due to injury to the IX^th and X^th nerves at surgery.

Ondine

Ondine was a water nymph in German mythology. She was very beautiful and (like all nymphs) immortal. The only threat to a nymph's eternal happiness is if she falls in love with a mortal and bears his child - she will lose her gift of everlasting life.

Ondine fell in love with a dashing knight - Sir Lawrence - and they were married. When they exchanged vows, Sir Lawrence said, "My every waking breath shall be my pledge of love and faithfulness to you." A year after their marriage Ondine gave birth to Lawrence’s son. From that moment on she began to age. As Ondine’s physical attractiveness diminished, Lawrence lost interest in his wife.

One afternoon Ondine was walking near the stables when she heard the familiar snoring of her husband. When she entered the stable, however, she saw Sir Lawrence lying in the arms of another woman. Ondine kicked her husband awake, pointed her finger at him, and uttered her curse: "You swore faithfulness to me with every waking breath, and I accepted your oath. So be it. As long as you are awake, you shall have your breath, but should you ever fall asleep, then that breath will be taken from you and you will die!"