To the Editor: Alveolar hypoventilation in association with obesity was described first by Burwell' in 1956. In later years, many cases of this syndrome have been reported. A similar syndrome in nonobese subjects was recognized in 1965.2 By 1970, 30 cases, most of whom were men, had been reported." We wish to report a case of idiopathic hypoventilation in a young, thin woman. We shall point out...

ROHHAD syndrome (Rapid-onset Obesity with Hypothalamic Dysfunction, Hypoventilation, and Autonomic Dysregulation) is characterized by rapid-onset obesity in young children, hypoventilation, and hypothalamic and autonomic dysfunction. The exact aetiology of the disease remains unknown, and the number of reported cases seems to be underestimated. We present the case of a nine-year-old male patien...

The overlap syndrome of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in addition to obesity hypoventilation syndrome, represents growing health concerns, owing to the worldwide COPD and obesity epidemics and related co-morbidities. These disorders constitute the end points of a spectrum with distinct yet interrelated mechanisms that lead to a considerable hea...