Nebulized albuterol (salbutamol) for the treatment of wheezy bronchitis was evaluated in a double-blind trial comprising 28 acutely ill children younger than 18 months and in 13 children 18 to 36 months of age. No significant difference in clinical effect was shown between albuterol and saline in the youngest group of children. Albuterol had some beneficial effect in children older than 18 months.