The three main diseases to be concerned with other than brain damage are a necrotizing enterocolitis aka "NEC", a patent ductus arteriosis (heart valve disorder) and, to a lesser extent, retinopathy. The first two can kill. Respiratory distress at this time is a given. Insist on the best nurses and that they be the child's primary nurses. Primary nurses are not ones who go from child to child, but rather stay with one and thereby get to know the child and his chart thoroughly.
The parents must not be shy. They must be forceful with administration. Doctors and nurses are prone to spoonfeed information when they should be taking the parents to school, so to speak. The NICU is an unatural environment with bells and whistles going off all the time, tissue being ripped off their skin from tape removal and bright lights on 24/7. They need to understand that the nurses are not G-d, but they do do his work and should be shown love. Its a good idea for them to purchase a few reference books written specifically for parents of the very premature. They need to know the medicine, understand what the results of the blood tests, brain sonograms, etc., indicate.
And make no mistake, the parents are learning what the road to Hell is paved with. Their own mental health is at stake, especially the father...I speak from experience.
My youngest boy weighed 786 grams or 1 lb. 11 oz. He had a necrotizing enterocolitis, blood disorders from negligence, eight blood transfusions including platelets, 26 days on a ventilator, nine months on a heart monitor...
How is he doing today you may ask. Little David (what else would we name him?) will be the youngest in his 3rd grade class this fall. He plays roller and ice travel hockey (2 years ahead of his division) and has helped lead his teams to a national and a north american championship, not to mention winning individual skills competions in North America. He laughs all the time, inspires us all and, most importantly, puts the good of others ahead of his own.
May G-d give little Logan strength, the best medical and nursing care, and may he touched, held, soothed and spoken to often...(a Willie Nelson "Best Of" seemed to work for my son)