Inhaled budecort on a long term basis is used in patients with bronchial asthma to prevent repeated attacks. Bronchial asthma in a child presents with repeated episodes of difficulty in breathing with wheezing. All cough & cold is not bronchial asthma. In general, it is difficult to be sure that a child as young as 17 months has bronchial asthma. It would be a good idea to take a second opinion, specially during the time when your child is having symptoms to be sure of the diagnosis. In any case, rest assured, inhaled budecort being delivered locally in the lungs has minimum side effects.