Abstract
Central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome has been known for decades as Ondine's curse. It was named as such after a German myth. Although most of the stories resemble one another, word of mouth has led to misinterpretation of this tale among the medical community. The present paper reviews the original narrative, its characters, and how it is linked to the most relevant aspects of the disease.
Highlights
Central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome has been known for decades as Ondine’s curse
Plays, and versions in the French language, the term Undine was replaced by “Ondine”, which is the French word for water spirit[3] (Figure 1)
The princess Undine ran into a handsome knight, the Count Huldbrand of Ringstetten, who had been led into the woods and got lost
Summary
Central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome has been known for decades as Ondine’s curse. The common belief is that a water spirit “Undine” cursed her lover, making it impossible for him to breathe while sleeping. He published the story about Undine for the first time, in 18111. Plays, and versions in the French language, the term Undine was replaced by “Ondine”, which is the French word for water spirit[3] (Figure 1).
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