Serum cystatin C level measured on arrival (SMD = 0.98; 95% CI:0.39-1.57 l p < 0.0001), after 6 h (SMD = 0.72; 95% CI:0.09-1.36; p < 0.0001), after 12 h (SMD = 1.29; 95% CI:0.54-2.04; p < 0.0001) and after 24 h (SMD = 0.99; 95% CI:0.55-1.43; p < 0.0001) were all significantly higher in AKI patients (Fig. 2 and Table 3). This evidence concerns the gene CST3 and acute kidney injury.