What condition is characterized by an inadequate number of red blood cells due to their premature destruction?

The condition characterized by an inadequate number of red blood cells due to their premature destruction is hemolytic anemia. In this condition, red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be produced by the bone marrow, leading to a decrease in their overall count in the bloodstream. Various factors can cause hemolytic anemia, including autoimmune disorders, infections, certain medications, or hereditary conditions.

Megaloblastic anemia, on the other hand, involves an issue with DNA synthesis in red blood cell production, often due to deficiencies in vitamin B12 or folate, leading to the production of large, immature cells rather than a decrease due to destruction. Aplastic anemia results from the failure of the bone marrow to produce adequate amounts of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which is distinctly different from hemolytic anemia. Lastly, iron-deficiency anemia is the result of insufficient iron levels, leading to a lack of hemoglobin production, but it does not involve premature destruction of red blood cells. Thus, the defining feature of hemolytic anemia is the destruction of red blood cells before their lifespan is complete, helping to identify it as the correct answer.