Central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome (Ondine's curse) with gastroesophageal reflux.

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (Ondine's curse) is a rare disorder with lack of automatic control of ventilation during sleep. We have reported a case of Ondine's curse in a patient who underwent Nissen's fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux (GER) at age 5 months. Ventilatory challenge test during sleep was done to confirm central alveolar hypoventilation. This female patient, without cor pulmonale, was a good candidate for diaphragm pacing. Thus, the patient underwent implantation of a diaphragm pacer at age 3 years; she had required mechanical ventilation since birth. Diagnosis, pathogenesis, and problems in the setting of diaphragm pacing for an infant are discussed.