A new unstable α-globin variant was detected in a child with hypoxemia and anemia. The child's mother was found to carry the same mutation. The hemoglobin (Hb) variant co-eluted with Hb A(2) by cation exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and appeared cathodal to Hb A and anodal to Hb F by isoelectric focusing. It represented less than 20% of the total Hb and was unstable by isopropanol testing. Gene sequencing identified a missense mutation on the α2 gene [HBA2:c.140T>C]. Oxygen dissociation and P(50) test results were normal.