• Urinary Cortisol [ Time Frame: 3 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Spirometry readings [ Time Frame: 3 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

• Urinary Cortisol [ Time Frame: 3 weeks ]
• Spirometry readings [ Time Frame: 3 weeks ]

Subjects aged 1-8 years who have been discharged from the emergency department/outpatient care facility with a diagnosis of asthma/bronchospasm/wheezing after usual standard care will be enrolled into this open-label, randomized, parallel-group study to compare the efficacy of nebulized budesonide and oral corticosteroids in preventing asthma exacerbation relapse rates during the 21-day follow-up period. Secondary outcomes include urinary cortisol-creatinine rations, symptom severity scores and peak flow rates.

• Drug: Nebulized Budesonide
• Drug: Usual care (albuterol with or without oral steroid)

• Active Comparator: Subject is treated with nebulized budesonide 0.5 BID for 3 weeks
• Active Comparator: Subject is treated with usual care as provided by the doctor. Usual care normally consists of treatment with albuterol with or without an oral steroid.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children ages 1-8 years old
• Discharge from emergency department/outpatient clinic with a diagnosis of asthma exacerbation after usual standard care
• Subjects must be able to show efficient use with a jet nebulizer

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects requiring hospitalization
• Subjects receiving oral steroids 1 week prior to presentation to emergency department.
• Subjects with FEV1 < 50% of predicted
• Subjects with co-morbid medical conditions (renal or cardiovascular disease)
• Subjects with reported history of HIV
• Subjects unable to follow up for study visits
• Subjects who are frequently enuretic