Choice A rationale:

This choice is incorrect.

Choice B rationale:

Infections can cause anemia, but they do not typically cause hemolytic anemia.

Infections can lead to anemia of chronic disease or anemia due to decreased production of red blood cells, but these are different from hemolytic anemia.

This choice is incorrect.

Choice C rationale:

Hemolytic anemia is primarily characterized by the destruction of red blood cells, which may release iron into the bloodstream, but this is a consequence of hemolysis, not the cause.

This choice is incorrect.

Choice D rationale:

This is the correct answer.

Hemolytic anemia results in the destruction of red blood cells due to oxidative stress.

Red blood cells are exposed to oxidative damage, which leads to their premature destruction in the bloodstream, causing anemia.