Melissa M. Castro Rivadeneira, MD
Pediatric Gastroenterologist

Dr. Melissa M. Castro Rivadeneira is a pediatric gastroenterologist with the Division of Gastroenterology at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. She earned her medical degree from Universidad Cientifica del Sur in Lima, Peru. Dr. Castro Rivadeneira completed her pediatric residency training at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. She then pursued a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee and a research fellowship in bariatric surgery at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. Her clinical interests include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), nutrition, and short bowel syndrome.

Dr. Castro Rivadeneira is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, the Society of Pediatric Research, Intestinal Bowel Ultrasound Society, and the American College of Gastroenterology. Her academic work includes peer-reviewed publications and abstracts presented at national professional meetings.

Dr. Castro Rivadeneira is employed by Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists (NCPS), the multispecialty medical group practice of Nicklaus Children’s Health System.

The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Nicklaus Children’s is dedicated to the treatment of a wide variety of gastrointestinal problems in children and adolescents. The team employs a multidisciplinary approach that brings together an array of specialists to deliver personalized care to the patient and family. The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center provides comprehensive support and management for children and young adults with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, while the Gastrointestinal (GI) Center offers nutritional assessment and counseling for overweight children, as well as those with dietary restrictions. Consultations with the division’s board-certified physicians are offered in both English and Spanish at the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital near Coral Gables and Nicklaus Children’s outpatient centers located from southern Miami-Dade to Martin counties.